Meadowlark Lemon
Meadowlark Lemon, known as the 'Clown Prince of Basketball', played in over 16,000 career games for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Basketball Player
April 25, 1932
December 27, 2015
83
Meadowlark Lemon, often referred to as “The Clown Prince of Basketball,” was a legendary figure in the sports world. He rose to fame as a Harlem Globetrotter, where he captivated audiences with his entertaining and skillful basketball performances. Lemon’s humorous antics and impressive trick shots made him one of the most cherished and well-known players in the team’s history. Besides his time with the Globetrotters, he also appeared in TV shows and movies like “The Love Boat” and “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh.” In 2003, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and received the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his contributions to the state.
A devout Christian, Lemon used his basketball platform to share his faith with others. He eventually became an ordained minister and established Meadowlark Lemon Ministries, promoting his message of hope and love through sports-related programs and educational initiatives. Despite encountering challenges and racial discrimination in his life, Lemon remained dedicated to his beliefs and utilized his influence to inspire and uplift others. He played in over 16,000 career games for the Harlem Globetrotters before passing away at the age of 83 in 2015.