Just the 30th person to receive the "Legends" distinction, Wilson was honored on Jan. 18, 2019, at the FedEx Forum in his hometown of Memphis. Legendary Harlem Globetrotter Marques Haynes considered by many to be the greatest basketball dribbler of all-time passed away in Plano, Texas, on May 22, 2015, at the age of 89. 20), Meadowlark Lemon (No. Originally from Horse Cave, Ky., Helem led Horse Cave High School to consecutive state basketball championships in 1944 and 1945 and was a two-time all-state selection. Meadowlark Lemon passed away at his Arizona home on Sunday aged 83 . Curly was inducted into the Globetrotters' "Legends" ring on June 25, 1993. Following his Globetrotter career, Chamberlain starred in the NBA from 1959 through 1973, playing for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was ahead of his time in the promotion business and created nicknames for himself and his dunks. More than 7 feet (2.1 metres) tall, Chamberlain was an outstanding centre . In a 2002 article by Darren Ivy in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Marques Haynes the first player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Globetrotter said of his teammate, "Goose was responsible for creating great interest in basketball in this country and around the worldId say Michael Jordan is the Goose Tatum of today.". Louis "Red" Klotz, who was involved in over 19,000 games against the Harlem Globetrotters as a player, coach and owner, became the first non-Globetrotter to have a jersey retired by the team when the Globetrotters honored Klotz in his native Philadelphia on March 13, 2011. One of the great ball handlers and leapers in basketball history, a forerunner to Julius Erving and Michael Jordan at swooping to the basket, Connie Hawkins played four magical seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters in the 1960s. Harlem Globetrotter TNT Lister joined a very elite group in the fall of 2011, becoming the first woman to don the red, white, and blue since 1993 and her success opened the door for other female players to join the team in recent years. Harlem Globetrotters 'Clown Prince' Meadowlark Lemon known for his jaw-dropping half-court shots and game pranks dies aged 83. Wilt Chamberlain (13), Marques Haynes (20), Curly Neal (22), Tex Harrison (34), Geese Ausbie (35), Meadowlark Lemon (36), Goose Tatum (50), Hallie Bryant (32), 2023 World Tour Presented By Jersey Mike's Subs. Jackson achieved a dramatic corporate turnaround, reviving the near-bankrupt organization and restoring its status as one of the most admired and publicized teams in the world while increasing revenue five-fold and rebuilding the fan base to near record levels. He was named MVP of the 1961 World Series of Basketball, a 20-game series against the nation's top college seniors. Neal is one of eight Globetrotters players ever to have their jersey numbers retired - in the company of legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and Meadowlark Lemon. Washington received his "Legends" Ring during a special ceremony on March 16, 2002, in his native Philadelphia. He moved on to Tennessee State University and topped his team in scoring as a freshman and twice earned All-Midwest honors during his three-year career. Jackson was known for his unbelievable behind-the-back half-court shot that he sank with remarkable accuracy. Eddie Timanus USA TODAY Fred "Curly" Neal, one of the best-known members of the Harlem Globetrotters, died Thursday at his home outside Houston. I cover pop culture and work as a feature writer at the Tulsa World. Jackson received his "Legends" Ring during a special ceremony on Jan. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. Karstens passed away on Dec. 31, 2004. He played one season with the team in 1963, before being drafted into the Army. 1963-1985. In 1966, Jackson returned to the Globetrotters where he played for 15 seasons. A 6-9 silky smooth forward, "Wee" Willie Gardner was one of the first players signed by the Harlem Globetrotters prior to the 1954 season at the age of 19. Dr. John "Jumpin' Johnny" Kline was a standout basketball leader on and off the court. When Neal began playing for the Globetrotters, he said, Coach Bobby Milton called him "Curly" as a joke, in reference to Three Stooges member Curly Howard. ), where he averaged 30 points a game during his college career. Once signed to the Globetrotters by Saperstein, Tatum quickly became an unstoppable basketball force. Interestingly, Bryant was offered the "Legends" honor in 1998, but he selflessly asked that it instead be bestowed upon his Globetrotter teammate, and childhood friend, Willie Gardner, who was suffering from diabetes at the time. After a pay dispute, a few of the players bolted away from the Savoy Big Five and formed the Globetrotters. In Jan. 2005, Jackson pledged $100,000 to UNICEF to aid victims of the tsunami in Asia, as well as a $250,000 donation to the Edwardsville YMCA. Now they're dead, and they never got the respect they deserved. Kline passed away on July, 26, 2018, at the age of 86. Kim Reynolds' remaining goals laid out in her Condition of the State address in January survived the "funnel" deadline Friday, with several measures she called for While still a Globetrotter in 1971, Mason was named to the prestigious all-time All-Missouri Valley Conference team. Sanders was honored in his hometown on March 23, 2007, at the RBC Center. He was 77. Following his Globetrotter career, Helem joined the Ashland Oil & Refining Company, now known as Ashland Inc., and worked for the company for over 35 years until his retirement in 1990. Nicknamed "Twiggy" for his lean build, Sanders played with the Globetrotters from 1974 until 1991. Gardner passed away on Sept. 28, 2000, just a month shy of his 67th birthday. A native of Raleigh, Sanders was a standout at Ligon High School, where he was all-conference, all-state and All-American in 1970, and was also named the Wake County Player of the Year. Nat Clifton Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton He got the nickname Sweetwater for his love of soda pop, but the moniker might just as well have described his sugary-sweet skills on the basketball court. A standout at Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Va., Kellogg was presented with his "Legends" Ring in New York on Feb. 14, 1998. A native of Crescent, Okla., Geese attended Douglas High School, where during one memorable week his senior season he scored 70, 54 and 62 points in three consecutive games during a tournament. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? Tatum started his athletic career in the late 1930s as a baseball player, where, as a standout first baseman, he would entertain the crowd with quick routines after put-outs. harlem globetrotters show. Haynes' basketball career began at Booker T. Washington High School in his hometown of Sand Springs, Okla., where he led the school to a high school national championship in 1941 and was named a Second Team Scholastic All-America that season. Hall is 5 feet 2 inches tall, which seems far too slight for his chosen occupation as. During Jacksons regime, the Globetrotters charitable contributions totaled more than $11 million. He played with the Globetrotters from 1946 to 1960 and traveled on six world tours with such historic Globetrotters as William "Pop" Gates, Marques Haynes, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and Reece "Goose" Tatum. A native of Detroit, he succeeded Goose Tatum as the top Clown Prince in 1955. Cornelius Lance Hawkins (Hawk, The Man) Position: Small Forward, Power Forward, and Center Shoots: Right 6-8, 210lb (203cm, 95kg) . Gip Gipson. The 25th person to receive the "Legends" distinction, Sweet Lou was honored on Feb. 9, 2007, at Houstons Toyota Center. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It's all part of the team's . Originally from Detroit, Mich., Kline was a basketball All-American and 1952 Athlete of the Year at Wayne State University, Most Valuable Player in the first Motor City Tournament and a finalist in the United States Olympic trials for track before he joined the Globetrotters. He turned down a pro baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs to pursue a career with the Globetrotters. Harlem Globetrotters United Supermarkets Arena - Lubbock, TX See Tickets Mar 8 Wed 7:00pm Crown Coliseum - Fayetteville, NC Harlem Globetrotters Add-Ons Available See Tickets From Harlem Globetrotters Video 0 seconds of 30 secondsVolume 0% 00:25 00:30 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 2023 WORLD TOUR Klotz once waxed that, "Like Fred Astaire had Ginger Rogers, the Harlem Globetrotters have always had a dance partnerbut Ive always been dancing backwards." Nov 20, 2014, 08:47 ET PHOENIX, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles "Tex" Harrison - an iconic figure with the Harlem Globetrotters for six amazing decades - passed away today in Houston,. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump are each headed to Iowa in the coming weeks, making their first trips of the year to the leadoff Republican voting state as the 2024 . The Harlem Globetrotters' roster consists of over 30 players, and so only a handful of them appear in the commercial. Champaign, Ill.: Garrard, 1977. He also appeared in numerous national TV commercials and was immortalized in animation on The Harlem Globetrotters cartoon series and on episodes of "Scooby Doo.". Osborne "Goose" Lockhart's career spanned 17 years with the Harlem Globetrotters. Connie Hawkins. In 1970, he graduated with a masters degree from Eastern Michigan University. Gardner, who played three seasons with the Globetrotters and had signed a contract with the New York Knicks before a heart condition forced him to retire, passed away in 2000. Then cast your vote, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, Owasso teacher of the year Q&A: Kari Huff, Ram Academy, Drug dealing and federal prison now behind him, Tulsan earning praise for fatherhood support initiative, 2 hospitalized in Missouri crash involving General Lee car from Dukes of Hazzard, Tom Sizemore's family deciding end of life matters, rep says, Review: Comfort food gets elevated at McKinney's Modern Dining, Ed Sheeran thanks Taylor Swift for linking him with Aaron Dessner, ABBA's 'Voyage' avatar concert in talks to go on a world tour, Rebel Wilson describes getting banned from Disneyland over 'illegal' bathroom selfie. Geese was honored with the Harlem Globetrotters "Legends" Ring on March 6, 1994, during a pregame ceremony at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 50), Marques Haynes (No. A former Oklahoma sports writer of the year, I have written books about former OU coach Barry Switzer and former OSU coach Pat Jones. He later formed his own team known as the Harlem Magicians with former Globetrotters player Marques Haynes.He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Arkansas . He was given a look, and after serving two years in the Army, was signed to a contract. All Entries Tatum, Reece "Goose" Reece "Goose" Tatum (1921-1967) Reece "Goose" Tatum excelled at two sports, baseball and basketball, but is most famous for his basketball career with the Harlem Globetrotters. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Helem played with the Globetrotters for nearly eight years (1948-55) during a magical era of the storied organization. Price started at forward for the Studebakers and led the league in free throws made during his lone NBL season. (Credit: David . Did the Harlem Globetrotters change their name? He became a Globetrotter coach and advisor following his playing days and traveled to more than 100 countries with the Globetrotters. One of the best known and greatest Showmen of all time, James "Twiggy" Sanders was the 27th person in the Globetrotters history to receive the "Legends" honor, joining the ranks of other Showmen like Reece "Goose" Tatum, Hubert "Geese" Ausbie and "Sweet" Lou Dunbar, who helped make the Globetrotters what they are today. The 7-1 center was often quoted that his time with the Globetrotters was the most enjoyable of his career. Nicknamed "Supertrotter," he was known for his rim-jarring dunks, blazing ball handling and effervescent personality. One of the most popular and recognizable Harlem Globetrotters ever, Hubert "Geese" Ausbie thrilled audiences with his awesome talent and effervescent personality around the world for 24 years. Always a scoring threat, Gates was a complete ballplayer on offense, a defensive specialist, and a strong rebounder. "Showboat" Hall could do more with his feet than most players did with their hands, and he had the court sense that belonged to only a few legendary athletes of the game.Hall passed away in Detroit on Dec. 24, 2014, at the age of 87. Meadowlark Lemon. Pittston's own Mia Hopkins, AKA "Mighty Mia Hopkins" per her Globetrotter nickname, will be hitting the hardwood in our area with the world-famous basketball team. Wilson traveled to nearly 60 countries during his standout Globetrotter career and was a two-time slam dunk champion at the NABC College All-Star Game. As a result, the team made comedic entertainment its central focus. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Nicknamed "Supertrotter," he was known for his rim-jarring dunks, blazing ball handling and effervescent personality. He received the Harlem Globetrotters "Legends" Ring on Aug. 3, 1993. Prior to his relationship with the Globetrotters, Klotz perfected his set shot and dribbling as a standout player at South Philadelphia High School, where he led the team to city championships in 1939 and 1940, both times earning Philadelphia Player of the Year honors. 22), Goose Tatum (No. "I'm 4-foot-5. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 1. "Aside from my family, being a Harlem Globetrotter has been the greatest highlight of my life," Tex once said. He played before popes, kings, queens and presidents in nearly 100 countries around the world. Jackson is considered by many to be one of the highest jumpers and the greatest dunkers of all time. the Savoy Big Five The 76ers also kept a separate column on the stat sheet for Dawkins's self-created nicknames: "Sir Slam", "Dr. Dunkenstein", and "Chocolate Thunder." Dawkins also wore gold chain necklaces during games until the end of the 1980 NBA Finals when the NBA banned players from wearing them on court. Tex received his nickname in college by being a very recognizable 6-3 Texan attending school in North Carolina. The Harlem Wizards are not the same as the Harlem Globetrotters. A star center and the first black player at Manhattan College, Kellogg declined a gambler's offer to shave points in a college game and informed his coach of the offer. Since 2017, the Globetrotters once again started using the Washington Generals as a rotational opponent for Harlem. For some odd reason, probably the same one that kept Willy Gilligan's name confined to only "Gilligan," Skipper's real name was never ever said again. One of the most revered players in Globetrotter history, Sweet Lou has traveled three times around the world, playing in front of more than 10 million people on six continents. during Helems Globetrotter career, defeated the world champion Minneapolis Lakers in both 1948 and 1949, and introduced "Sweet Georgia Brown" as its theme song. But I carry myself like I'm 6-foot-5." Jahmani Swanson doesn't just talk a good game. There was a problem saving your notification. "When I was approached back in 1998, I knew that Willie was in poor health, and I thought it would be more appropriate to pay homage to a man who had been like a brother to me, so I respectfully asked the team to give the honor to Willie.". "The nickname Supertrotter fit him perfectly.". The Harlem Globetrotters bring their World Tour 2023 to United Supermarkets Arena at 7 p.m. on March 1. Haynes then starred collegiately at Langston University in Langston, Okla. (1942-46), where he was a four-time All-Conference selection and team MVP. An Oklahoman, Savannas Tyler Inman, will suit up for the Harlem Globetrotters at the BOK Center this weekend. Then cast your vote, Oklahoma's new Teacher of the Year celebrates by gifting her tuition waiver to aspiring nurse, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. The 6-5 forward starred at the University of Memphis, playing in the 1995 and 1996 NCAA Tournaments. On September 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, the Harlem Globetrotters tip off the third game of an 11-game exhibition series in Europe against a team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul . As a senior at Webster High School in Minden, La., he was named "Mr. Basketball of Louisiana," joining other former Louisiana stars such as Willis Reed, Bob Pettit and Elvin Hayes. The team's founder and original owner, Abe Saperstein, launched the club from . During his NBA career, his dominance brought on many rules changes, including widening the lane, introducing offensive goaltending and revising rules governing free throw shooting (Chamberlain would jump from behind the foul line with the ball and lay it in the basket before the rules were revised). Harlem Globetrotters player Orlando Melendez, or El Gato, puts Toronto children through a series of basketball drills at the MLSE Launchpad. Reece "Goose" Tatum (May 31, 1921 - January 18, 1967) was an American Negro league baseball and basketball player. . Klotzs teams played games in front of popes, kings and queens; on aircraft carriers, in bullrings, and on soccer fields; and in over 100 countries and thousands of cities around the world. Each member of the squad has their own nickname. In the 1996-97 season, Jackson and the Globetrotters were instrumental in securing over $2 million to the Nelson Mandela African Childrens Foundation. He was inducted into the 2008 class of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, along with the renowned Roy Williams, coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels. In 1989, Gates was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Those traits still help to define the Globetrotters today. The Harlem Globetrotters were a rag-tag basketball team who started barnstorming other teams because of racial discrimination and Jim Crow Laws . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Known for his ball handling skills and sharp shooting, he is considered one of the greatest all-around athletes to ever wear the red, white and blue. Right out of college he played with the barnstorming team for a single year. The 6-8 forward joined the Globetrotters in 1977, after averaging nearly 15 points per contest in 99 career games at Dillard University in New Orleans. More cooler-than-the-other-side-of-the-pillow nicknames owned by Harlem Globetrotters include Darryl "Chocolate Thunder" Dawkins, Greg "Cadillac" Anderson, Herbert "Moo Moo" Evans, "Wee". Marshall once said he would sign African American players when the Harlem Globetrotters signed white players. Sharavjamts Shark Tserenjanhor: You want to pronounce his first name? "I have had the good fortune to be a part of the most celebrated sports team in history. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sanders was also an assistant mens basketball coach at Shaw University, three blocks from where he grew up in Raleigh. Are the Harlem Wizards the same as the Harlem Globetrotters? Frederick "Curly" Neal (May 19, 1942 - March 26, 2020) was an American basketball player who played with the Harlem Globetrotters, instantly recognizable with his shaved bald head. A life-long resident of Indiana, Bryant graduated from historical Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, was Indianas "Mr. Basketball" in 1953, was a three-year letter winner at Indiana University, and is a member of the state of Indiana and IU Basketball Halls of Fame. Jackson remains the Globetrotters Chairman of the Board and still owns 20 percent of the team. It's misleading, a playful jab at the truth: He has always been too short. In the fall of 1997, Jackson announced an endowment of $100,000 to the Lincoln School Alumni Foundation of Edwardsville, Ill., helping provide youth with college scholarships and pledged $250,000 to the Globetrotters Alumni Association. Each honoree exemplifies the Harlem Globetrotters humanitarian contributions and its the second highest honor a former player can receive outside of jersey retirement. Bob Karstens was the third Caucasian to play for the Harlem Globetrotters (the others were founder Abe Saperstein and Bunny Leavitt), but Karstens had the rare distinction of being the first Caucasian player to be under contract with the team. He also claimed to be from the Planet. At Virginia Union, the 6-3 center earned the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Associations Freshman of the Year award. Govoner Vaughn joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1960 and quickly established himself as one of the top players in the team's history. Price joined the National Basketball League (the predecessor to today's NBA) in 1942 as a member of the Chicago Studebakers for one season. . . Credit: Harlem Globetrotters Still, the Globetrotters managed to land talented athletes, including future NBA star Wilt Chamberlain. Gipson received his "Legends" Ring on Aug. 3, 1995, and passed away on Dec. 30, 2009. Following in the footsteps of Marques Haynes, Neal became the Trotters' featured ballhandler, a key role in the team's . During his career, Tex had tea with Queen Elizabeth, caviar with Nikita Khrushchev, and an audience with three Popes. His dribbling style would confuse and confound opponents and became one of the Globetrotters' most potent offensive weapons. Klotz joined the NBAs Baltimore Bullets midway through the 1947-48 season, a season in which the Bullets went on to defeat the Philadelphia Warriors in six games to win the NBA title. Curly's famous number 22 was lifted to the rafters during a special ceremony at New York's Madison Square Garden. Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Meet the 2023 Ms. Inside/Ms. Curly passed away in March, 2020, just days after the team completed its US Tour. . By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Naming the 24 best players famed Rucker Park ever produced will stir plenty of debate. Curly played 22 seasons for the Globetrotters, wearing #22 for all of those years. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Highlighting the year was his 100-point effort against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. It does not store any personal data. He appeared on popular TV shows such as ABCs Wide World of Sports, The Tonight Show, The White Shadow, The Love Boat, The Merv Griffin Show and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligans Island.. He has been enshrined into a total of six Halls of Fame, including NAIA (1985), Jim Thorpe (1993) and Langston University (1995). GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Overall, the former University of Iowa standout appeared in 511 career NBA games (16.6 ppg) and 138 ABA games (28.2 ppg). "Big" Frank Washington, a high-flying 6-foot-5-inch center, was a member of the first Harlem Globetrotter team to trek around the world in 1952. The Harlem Globetrotters date back to 1926, long before the days of the NBA. In 1961, Geese attended an open tryout during the Globetrotters training camp in Chicago, where he was chosen for the team from more than 500 players from around the country. Beyond the gabeme, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jacksons life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for personal actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence. The AQ Chicken House in Springdale, Ark., which has served up untold millions of fried chicken dinners to everyone from presidents to peasants. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The Boston Celtics were considered almost unstoppable during the 1960s.The Boston Celtics had won eight championships almost consecutively. Home. Which Scooby Doo had the Harlem Globetrotters? Curly was part of one of the most extraordinary eras in the team's history, appearing on several popular television programs and specials, including "ABC's Wide World of Sports," "CBS Sports Spectacular," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine," "The Love Boat," "The White Shadow" and "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligans Island." In honor of Woodys pending appearance in Tulsa, here are 10 cool nicknames in Globetrotters history: Fred Curly Neal: Its a great nickname because he was bald. Lockhart received his Legends Ring during a special ceremony at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 30, 2019. Born: July 17, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York us Died: October 6, 2017 College: Iowa High School: Boys in Brooklyn, New York NBA Debut: October 16, 1969 ▪ ABA Debut: October 23, 1967 The star-studded, experienced roster includes Arnold "A-Train" Bernard, an accomplished trickster and a veteran of 7 years with the Globetrotters. Crissa "Ace" Jackson is one four women who now grace the roster of one of the oldest basketball clubs in the world. Neal passed away on March 26, 2020 in his home outside of Houston at the age of 77. Still sporting the trademark shaved head, wide smile and infectious laugh that made him a pop culture icon for decades, on Feb. 15, 2008, Curly became just the fifth Globetrotter in the team's illustrious history to have his jersey number retired, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes, Meadowlark Lemon and Goose Tatum. Fred Preacher Smith: Consider that Smith attended Oral Roberts University and it all makes sense. Explore 10 surprising facts about the famous barnstorming basketball team. Woodard played for the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA during the summer of 1997 and was selected by the Detroit Shock in the 1998 WNBA expansion draft by then Shock Head Coach and General Manager Nancy Lieberman-Cline, a former member of the Washington Generals. We begin our exciting expose with a look at the Harlem Wizards. During his tenure with the Ambassadors of GoodwillTM, Sanders traveled more than 75,000 miles to over 100 countries on six continents. How did Harlem Globetrotters get their name? Members of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? The original "Clown Prince of Basketball," Harlem Globetrotters Legend Reece "Goose" Tatum is among a distinguished list of 10 players and coaches inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fames Class of 2011.Tatum was the first person elected from a newly formed Hall of Fame committee representing Early African-American Pioneers of the Game. Gates passed away on Dec. 2, 1999, at the age of 82. Now he is passing that love and considerable knowledge on to a new generation of Globetrotters as the teams director of player personnel. B.J. Born on October 30, 1933, Gardner was named to the Silver Anniversary Team by the Indiana Hall of Fame in 1977. Hobleys "Legends" award was accepted by his wife, Mattie, children Raichell and Billy Ray II, and nephew Elijah. The partnership began in 1952, when Globetrotters Owner Abe Saperstein offered Klotz the opportunity to form a team to play the Globetrotters. Wilsonis the current Guinness World Record holder for the highest slam dunk ever recorded, setting the mark at 12-feet during Final Four Weekend in April of 2000. This professional basketball outfit is the brainchild of legendary sports promoter, Howie Davis.