Amanda Knapp
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that originated in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago. They combine athleticism, theatre, entertainment and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, the team has played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories. The Harlem Globetrotters have broken several records and are the world's most famous sports exhibition team. They have also been inducted into the Guinness World Records Hall of Fame. In 2022, three former Harlem Globetrotters, Inman Jackson, Wyatt Sonny Boswell and Albert Runt Pullins, were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of formation | 1926 |
| Place of formation | Chicago, Illinois |
| Original name | Savoy Big Five |
| Current owner | Herschend Family Entertainment |
| Number of exhibition games played | 26,000+ |
| Number of countries and territories visited | 124 |
| Signature song | Whistled version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" |
| Mascot | Anthropomorphized globe named "Globie" |
| Number of members inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame | 3 |
| Members inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame | Inman Jackson, Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell, Albert "Runt" Pullins |
| Year of induction in the Basketball Hall of Fame | 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Harlem Globetrotters: a history
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team, founded in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago by sports promoter Abe Saperstein. They combine athleticism, theatre, entertainment and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, introducing many to the sport of basketball.
The team began as the Savoy Big Five, one of the main attractions of the Savoy Ballroom. In January 1928, a basketball team of Black American players played exhibitions before dances to boost the ballroom's dwindling attendance numbers. In 1928, several players left the team and formed the "Globe Trotters", touring southern Illinois. Abe Saperstein became involved with the team as its manager and promoter. By 1929, he was touring with his basketball team called the "New York Harlem Globe Trotters". Saperstein chose the name Harlem because it was considered the centre of Black American culture at the time, and "Globetrotters" to mythologise the team's international venues.
The Globetrotters were perennial participants in the World Professional Basketball Tournament, winning it in 1940. In 1948, they made headlines when they beat one of the best white basketball teams in the country, the Minneapolis Lakers. They continued to easily win games as they had access to the entire talent pool of the best Black basketball players in the country. They gradually worked comic routines into their act, a direction credited to Reece "Goose" Tatum, who joined in 1941. They eventually became known more for entertainment than sports.
The Globetrotters played before their largest crowd ever – 75,000 – at Berlin's Olympic Stadium in 1951. Following this trip, they picked up the moniker "'Ambassadors of Goodwill'" from a letter written by the U.S. State Department. They have entertained popes, kings, queens, and presidents around the globe. They are pioneers in popularising the slam dunk, the fast break, the forward and point guard positions, and the figure-eight weave.
In 1959, the Globetrotters played nine games in Moscow, where they were welcomed enthusiastically by spectators and authorities. They met Premier Nikita Khrushchev and collectively received the Athletic Order of Lenin medal. They have been honoured with a street name in Chicago's Bronzeville neighbourhood.
Some of the most famous Globetrotters include Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, who began his professional career when he signed with the Globetrotters in 1958, and Lynette Woodard, the first female to ever play on a men’s pro basketball team.
Three Harlem Globetrotters alums – Inman Jackson, Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell, and Albert "Runt" Pullins – were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
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Globetrotters' impact on basketball
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. They have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, mostly against deliberately ineffective opponents. The team originated in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago and began as the Savoy Big Five, a basketball team of Black American players who played exhibitions to increase the Savoy Ballroom's dwindling attendance numbers.
The Globetrotters were perennial participants in the World Professional Basketball Tournament, winning it in 1940. They continued to easily win games as they monopolized the talent pool of the best black basketball players in the country. In 1948, the Globetrotters made headlines when they beat one of the best white basketball teams in the country, the Minneapolis Lakers. The team gradually worked comic routines into their act, eventually becoming more well-known for entertainment than sports. Their acts feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusually difficult shots.
The Harlem Globetrotters broke the color barrier in the NBA in 1950 when Chuck Cooper became the first black player to be drafted by Boston. Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, a Harlem Globetrotter, also became the first black player to sign an NBA contract when the New York Knicks purchased his contract for $12,500. The Globetrotters also broke the gender barrier in pro basketball when they signed their first female player, Olympic gold medalist Lynette Woodard, in 1985.
The Harlem Globetrotters have had a significant impact on African American culture. They have given generations of fans entertaining memories and are known for putting smiles on people's faces. They are also leaders in breaking down barriers and making history, committing to their fans, and acting as Ambassadors of Goodwill.
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Globetrotters' social influence
The Harlem Globetrotters have had a significant social influence, particularly in the context of racial segregation in the United States. The team was formed in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago, and all the original players were Black Americans. In the 1920s, most organised basketball teams in America were racially segregated and predominantly white. The Globetrotters, with their exceptional skills and entertainment value, challenged racial prejudices and showcased the talent of Black athletes.
The team's name, the Harlem Globetrotters, reflects their social and cultural significance. "Harlem" was chosen as it was considered the centre of Black American culture during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The name "Globetrotters" emphasised their aspiration to perform internationally. The team's style, incorporating elements of theatre, entertainment and comedy, along with their exceptional athletic abilities, made them stand out and attracted a diverse audience.
The Harlem Globetrotters played their first road game in Hinckley, Illinois, on January 7, 1927, and quickly gained recognition as a talented team. They won their first World Basketball Championship, defeating the Chicago Bruins. In the late 1940s, the Globetrotters defeated the Minneapolis Lakers, who were one of the best white basketball teams in the country at the time. This victory accelerated the integration of the NBA, as the Globetrotters demonstrated the capabilities of African-American athletes.
In the 1950s, the Globetrotters embarked on their first international tour, playing nine games in Moscow, Soviet Union. They were enthusiastically welcomed and met with Premier Nikita Khrushchev, receiving the Athletic Order of Lenin medal. Their unique style of play, combining athleticism and entertainment, initially confused Soviet audiences, who were used to more traditional basketball games. However, the Globetrotters' skills and showmanship left a lasting impression, and they were praised in the state-run newspaper, Pravda.
The Harlem Globetrotters have continued to break barriers and make history. They have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries, entertaining millions of fans worldwide. The team has included notable players such as Wilt Chamberlain, who was one of the era's most talented and prominent basketball players. The Globetrotters have also been trendsetters in basketball fashion, known for their iconic jerseys and experimental styles. Their influence extends beyond the basketball court, as they actively engage in community work and have been recognised as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" by the U.S. State Department.
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Globetrotters' records and accolades
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, comedy, and basketball skills in their style of play. They have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, introducing many to the sport of basketball. The team is also known for its commitment to breaking down barriers and goodwill.
The Globetrotters have earned the accolades of many world leaders, including special acknowledgment from Presidents Eisenhower and Ford for their ability to serve mankind around the world. They were also recognised as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" by the US State Department in a letter written to Abe Saperstein in 1951. The Globetrotters played before their largest crowd ever – 75,000 – at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. This was the largest attendance for a basketball game at the time, an achievement that saw them featured in the very first Guinness Book of Records.
The Harlem Globetrotters have also been recognised for their athletic excellence, proving that Black players could succeed at the highest level of professional sport. In 1948, the Globetrotters made headlines when they beat one of the best white basketball teams in the country, the Minneapolis Lakers. In 1950, Harlem Globetrotter Chuck Cooper became the first Black player to be drafted in the NBA, and his teammate, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, became the first Black player to sign an NBA contract.
The Globetrotters have also broken several Guinness World Records, including the farthest bounce shot (93 ft 8.4 in), the most blindfolded basketball slam dunks in one minute (nine), and the farthest windmill basketball shot (46 ft 3 in). These records were set during a 48-hour period in December 2021, when the team racked up 18 new world records. The Globetrotters also hold the record for the most wins in a single season, winning 333 games and losing only eight in 1951-52.
In addition to their basketball achievements, the Globetrotters have also had a significant cultural impact. They had their own cartoon show on CBS in the 1970s and 1980s, which earned some of the highest ratings in the history of Saturday morning television. They also had a live-action Saturday morning variety show called "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine".
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Harlem Globetrotters alumni
The Harlem Globetrotters are an American exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, the team has played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries and territories, mostly against deliberately ineffective opponents. The team originated in 1926 on the South Side of Chicago, where all the original players were raised. They began as the Savoy Big Five, one of the premier attractions of the Savoy Ballroom. In 1928, several players left the team and formed the "Globe Trotters". Abe Saperstein then became involved with the team, and by 1929, he was touring with his basketball team called the "New York Harlem Globe Trotters". Saperstein selected the name "Harlem" because it was then considered the center of Black American culture, and "Globetrotter" to mythologize the team's international venues.
The Harlem Globetrotters have had several notable alumni who have gone on to achieve success and recognition in the world of basketball. Here are some of the notable alumni:
- Inman Jackson: Credited with bringing the comedic flair that transformed the Globetrotters from an ordinary barnstorming team into an entertainment icon. He contributed to the "Magic Circle," where players showcase their ball-handling skills.
- Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell: A long-shot artist who helped integrate the National Basketball League after many of its players left to fight in World War II.
- Albert "Runt" Pullins: One of the original Globetrotters and the star attraction in their early days.
- Lynette Woodard: Became the first woman to play for a men's professional basketball team when she signed with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1985 and played until 1987.
- Curly Neal: Known for his magical dribbling skills and long-range shooting abilities, Curly played 22 seasons for the Globetrotters, always wearing #22.
- Chuck Cooper: Became the first black player to be drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics in 1950.
- Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton: Became the first black player to sign an NBA contract when the New York Knicks purchased his contract from the Globetrotters for $12,500 (equivalent to $163,000 in 2024).
These individuals are among the many talented players who have been a part of the Harlem Globetrotters organization, contributing to its success and legacy in the world of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
The Harlem Globetrotters are not in the Basketball Hall of Fame, but they are one of the world's most famous sports exhibition teams, combining athleticism with entertainment and comedy.
The Harlem Globetrotters are not inducted as a team, but some of their players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Inman Jackson, Wyatt "Sonny" Boswell, and Albert "Runt" Pullins were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022. Wilt Chamberlain, who played a full season with the Globetrotters in 1958-1959, is also in the Hall of Fame.
The Harlem Globetrotters are known for their unique blend of basketball skills, comedy, and entertainment. They have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 124 countries, showcasing their ball-handling skills and comedic routines.
The Harlem Globetrotters have made significant social contributions, particularly in the realm of racial equality. They showcase the talent of Black basketball players and accelerated the integration of the NBA. The team also broke gender barriers by signing Lynette Woodard, the first woman to play on a professional men's basketball team.
