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Reece Goose Tatum, of the Harlem Globetrotters, holding the ball, 1952
The Harlem Globetrotters are a black professional U.S. basketball team that plays exhibition games all over the world, drawing crowds as large as 75,000 to see the players' spectacular ball handling and humorous antics. The all-black team was organized in 1927 by sports promoter Abe Saperstein, who owned it until his death in 1966. Lacking a hometown, they began touring the United States in Saperstein's car. Later they travelled abroad to popularize their entertaining brand of basketball. They play against a team that they call the Opposition, which is made up largely of white players. The Opposition never wins and functions much like the straight man in a two-man comedy team. Some outstanding Globetrotters have been Reece Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, Clarence Wilson, Meadowlark Lemon, and Wilt the Stilt Chamberlain. - In 1926, by Hall of Famer Abe Saperstein.
At age 24, Saperstein organizes and coaches a new basketball team, "Savoy Big Five," named after famous Chicago's Savoy Ballroom. The ballroom was designed after the New York version with the same name. The "Savoy Big Five" consisted of Tommy Brookings, William Grant, Inman Jackson, Lester Johnson, Joe Lillard, Randolph Ramsey, Walter Wright, and William Watson. Jackson, Johnson, and Wright formed the nucleus of the first Globetrotters team.
Saperstein's team makes its debut on January 7 in Hinckley, Illinois, before a crowd of 300. The team wore uniforms with "NEW YORK" on them; no doubt in giving the crowd the impression they were from that city. Saperstein would later add his family name to the jersey thereafter, "Saperstein's New York Globetrotters."
- In 1934, the Globetrotters play their 1,000 career game in Iron Mountain, Michigan. The team finished with an incredible 152-2 record.
- In 1939, the team plays in its first professional basketball championship tournament and was defeated by the New York Rens. The Globetrotters begin to clown around and the crowd loved it. After the game, Saperstein informed his players that it was OK to add more clowning in the games, but only when they had established a safe lead on the scoreboard. Inman Jackson initiates the team's "Clown Prince" of basketball role and created the pivot position now used by all levels of basketball.
- In 1940, The Globetrotters play their 2,000th career game in Bellingham, Washington, and conclude the regular season tour with a 159-8 record. Returning to Chicago, the team accepts an invitation to compete in the World Professional Basketball tournament. The Harlem Globetrotters even up the score with the New York Rens, defeating the Rens in the semi-finals. In the finals, the Globetrotters defeat George Halas' Chicago Bruins in overtime, 31-29, and capture their first-ever World Basketball Championship. The Globetrotters return to Chicago Stadium and play a game against the College All-Stars before a crowd of 22,000
- In 1942, one of the all-time Harlem Globetrotter greats, Reece "Goose" Tatum, signs with the Globetrotters. He quickly establishes himself as a basketball genius and an inspired comedian. "Goose" originates and develops most of the team's classic comedy routines.
- In 1946, The Harlem Globetrotters celebrate their 20th season, as they play their 3,000th career game in Vancouver, British Columbia. With the end of World War II, the Globetrotters make their first-ever overseas trip to the United States Territory of Hawaii. The team plays in front of American GI's and huge crowds during a 17-game series. After 20 years, 3,000 games, a World Championship, and a .927 winning percentage, the Globetrotters begin gaining national and international recognition for themselves and the sport. Time LIFE Magazine features the team in the Dec. 2, 1946, issue.
- On February 20, the Cinderella team, consisting of Ermer Robinson, Ducky Moore, Sam Wheeler, Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, Babe Pressley, Ted Strong, Vertes Ziegler, and Wilbert King defeat George Mikan, Jim Pollard and the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers, 61-59, before a crowd of 17,823 at Chicago Stadium. The Globetrotters finish the year with a 152-5 overall record.
- In 1951, the 25th anniversary tour begins and is highlighted by the team's 4,000th career game. On April 9, a United States record crowd of 31,684 fans watched the Globetrotters defeat the College All-Stars, 55-34 at the Rose Bowl. On April 25, Globetrotters embark on their first South America tour. The tour highlight is when the team played before a crowd of 50,041 fans at Rio de Janeiro's Estadio Municipal. On August 21, the Globetrotters play before 75,000 fans packed into Berlin's Olympic Stadium. Just prior to the game, a helicopter lands on the field and emerging from the helicopter was the Globetrotters' special guest, 1948 U.S. Olympian Jesse Owens.
- In 1952, The Silver Anniversary is celebrated with a 108-game around the world tour, the first in the history of basketball. In April, the Globetrotters receive a letter from Meadowlark Lemon requesting a tryout with the team. Lemon was given a look, and after serving two years in the Army was signed to a contract. He played his first season with one of the Globetrotter developmental teams, the Kansas City Stars. Sweet Georgia Brown became the team's official them song in 1952.
- In 1961, Hubert "Geese" Ausbie joins the Globetrotters. "Geese" gains a reputation as one of the funniest, most outrageous players in team annals. He would serve as the team's "Clown Prince" from 1961 to 1985.
In a stunning upset, the Globetrotters lost a game to the Washington Generals, in 1962. This is one of the two games the team will lose over the next 8,964 games. - On December 6,1974, the Globetrotters played in their 12,000th career game at the Capital Centre in Landover
- In 1977, the Globetrotters celebrate their 50th season.
- In 1978, the Globetrotters make their first trip to West Africa, visiting Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Libreville (Gabon), increasing the number of countries visited to 97.
- In 1982, the Globetrotters become the first and only sports team to be honored with their own star on Hollywood's famous "Walk of Fame."
- In 1985, the Globetrotters sign their first female player, Olympic Gold Medallist Lynette Woodard from Kansas.
- In 1993, Mannie Jackson becomes the first African-American and former player to own a sports/entertainment organization with his acquisition of the Harlem Globetrotters.
- In 1976, Celebrating their 70th anniversary, the Harlem Globetrotters become history's first professional basketball squad to play in a free democratic South Africa in June.
- In 1998, the Harlem Globetrotters play their 20,000th career game at Tri-County High School near Remington, Indiana, on Jan. 12.
- In 2000, Wilt Chamberlain becomes the first Globetrotter to have his jersey retired at a March ceremony at his alma mater Overbrook High School in Philadelphia.
The world-famous HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS were originally formed from the Wendell Phillips High School. The team played in the Negro American Legion League as the "Giles Post," and in 1927 turned professional as the Savoy Big Five under manager Dick Hudson. Later that year, promoter Abe Saperstein (Hall of Fame, 1971) bought the team and re-named it the Harlem Globetrotters. Up until the late 1930s, the Globetrotters were a serious competitive team. Starting with the acquisition of Inman Jackson, the Globetrotters began to work more light entertainment and comedic routines into their appearances, but could still play with the best of the professional teams. In 1939, the Globetrotters were runners-up to the New York Rens (Hall of Fame, 1963) in the World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago. The team won the tournament in 1940. After World War II, the Globetrotters became real "globetrotters," travelling the world and entertaining thousands. With players such as Geese Ausbie, Goose Tatum, 1998 Hall of Famer Marques Haynes, Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon, the Globetrotters quickly became ambassadors of bringing their showmanship to millions. The team has played over 20,000 games in more than 100 countries around the world.
Wilt Chamberlain, Harlem Globetrotters
Enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a team on September 27, 2002
Harlem Globetrotters the Movie
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