Meadowlark Lemon, a legendary basketball player who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and played for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1954-78, died at the age of 83 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sunday.
His passing was confirmed by his wife to the New York Times.
One of only five Globetrotters to have his jersey retired by the basketball team, Lemon was an entertainer and "showman"—affectionately known as the “Clown Prince of Basketball"—while playing for the world famous squad. His website claims he played 16,000 games during his career.
The Times' obituary described him as a "gifted athlete with an entertainer’s hunger for the spotlight" and one of the most famous and beloved Globetrotters in the team's storied history. Lemon was well known for expertly pulling off the bucket full of confetti gag.
Lemon was a slick ballhandler and a virtuoso passer, and he specialized in the long-distance hook, a trick shot he made with remarkable regularity. But it was his charisma and comic bravado that made him perhaps the most famous Globetrotter. For 22 years, until he left the team in 1978, Lemon was the Trotters’ ringmaster, directing their basketball circus from the pivot. He imitated Tatum’s reams, like spying on the opposition’s huddle, and added his own.
The team and many of Lemon's admirers offered memories and sympathies on Twitter.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Meadowlark Lemon. He was 83. #RIPMeadowlark pic.twitter.com/tCRWkZUD3h
The Great Meadowlark Lemon of the legendary Harlem Globetrotters dies at 83. Rest In Basketball Heaven Sir! pic.twitter.com/X8BXKLxiV9
I wanted to meet Meadowlark Lemon this summer at an event, so glad Tori volunteered me to play PIG with him. RIP! pic.twitter.com/3iaQeXBja2
RIP Meadowlark Lemon your friendship,knowledge and wisdom will be missed my friend.
Crushed to hear the news that my dear friend Meadowlark Lemon has passed away. Just w/ him in Sept and laughed the entire time.#ripmeadow
RIP Meadowlark Lemon. As magical a basketball player as I ever saw live. So often I wondered, "How did he DO that?"
RIP Meadowlark Lemon wow
Harlem Globetrotters star Meadowlark Lemon dies at 83. My Dad and I watched #Meadowlark religiously. Loved him. #RIP https://t.co/zf2INPice7
I remember how EXCITED I was to take a pic w/the LEGEND, Meadowlark Lemon, 1of the original @Globies. #RIPMeadowlark pic.twitter.com/riIaHZqyUD
I mourn the passing of my childhood hero Meadowlark Lemon. As a cartoon, when paired with Scooby Doo and solving crimes, he was transcendent
“Meadowlark was the most sensational, awesome, incredible basketball player I’ve ever seen.” - WILT (circa 1999) https://t.co/zBLbPiO3Lk
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