The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy.
Created by Abe Saperstein in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name Harlem because of its connotations as a major African-American community. Over the years they have played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries.
Brother Bones's whistled version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" is the team's signature song. Globie has been their mascot since 1993.
The Globetrotters gradually worked comic routines into their act until they became known more for entertainment than sports. The Globetrotters' acts often feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusual, difficult shots.
Among the players who have been Globetrotters are NBA greats Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, as well as Marques Haynes, George "Meadowlark" Lemon, Jerome James, former Temple coach John Chaney, Reece "Goose" Tatum, and Hubert "Geese" Ausbie.
Another popular team member in the 1970s and 1980s was Fred "Curly" Neal who was the best dribbler of that era of the team's history and was immediately recognizable due to his shaven head. Baseball Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins and Lou Brock also played for the team at one time or another. In 1985, the Globetrotters signed their first female player, Olympic gold medalist Lynette Woodard, and their second, Joyce Walker, just three weeks later.
13-Jan-2009 : Shasta College - Redding CA
14-Jan-2009 : Haele Pavilion - Santa Rosa CA
15-Jan-2009 : SaveMart Center - Fresno CA
17-Jan-2009 : HP Pavilion - San Jose CA
17-Jan-2009 : Oracle Arena - Oakland CA
12-Feb-2009 : Robobank Arena - Bakersfield CA
13-Feb-2009 : SD Sports Arena - San Diego CA
14-Feb-2009 : Honda Arena - Anaheim CA
