by Terri Edinburgh

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Imagine enjoying a magic show, but not your typical magic show. This magic show features comedy combined with incredible coordination and skillful handling and passing of one or more basketballs; balancing and spinning basketballs on fingertips; and making unusual and difficult shots. For over 82 years, the Harlem Globetrotters have thrilled audiences around the world with their basketball magic.

The Harlem Globetrotter's humble beginnings were not that of a basketball team putting on a spectacular magic show. They were a competitive team of young men formed from the Wendell Phillips High School and played in the Negro American Legion League. In 1927, they turned professional as the "Savoy Big Five," under manager Dick Hudson. Later that year, Abe Saperstein bought the team and renamed them the Harlem Globetrotters. The entertainment and comedic routines started to take shape when the Harlem Globetrotters games became boring due to their tremendous leads. Their leads were so outrageous that the games became boring to the crowds. So team members began to entertain the crowds with clowning around and silly antics. The crowd loved it and Saperstein was pleased.

With the acquisition of Inman Jackson in 1939, the Globetrotters began to work more light entertainment and comedic routines into their appearances. After World War II, the team became real "globetrotters," traveling the world and entertaining thousands. With players such as Curly Neal, Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum, the Globetrotters became basketball ambassadors, bringing their showmanship and goodwill to millions.

Despite their showmanship and comedic stunts, the Harlem Globetrotters was serious about basketball. The Globetrotters have played in and won more games than any other professional team. The club has played in over 22,500 games, recording their 22,000th
Victory on February 26, 2006. But boasting an all time winning record is not all the Globetrotters have accomplished over the years.

The Harlem Globetrotters have been featured in several of their own movies and television series over the years. They were even featured in a Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoon show and later featured in a second animated series created by Hanna-Barbera. In 2005, the Harlem Globetrotters was the centerpiece of a documentary that included interviews with the Globetrotters, NBA coaches and fans such as Bill Cosby, Samuel L. Jackson and Henry Kissinger.

Today, the tradition of timeless comedic basketball continues with a new generation of stars. With the likes of Wildkat Edgerson, Sweat Pea Shine, Rainmaker Griffin and Big Easy Lofton, the "Ambassadors of Goodwill" will continue to dunk their way into the hearts and souls of basketball fans both young and old.

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