One of the true greats of basketball is going home. Meadowlark Lemon

[Plainosooner]

Meadowlark Lemon missed a game in his second year with the Globetrotters, but then played in more than 16,000 consecutive games. He was likely their most popular player ever.

In recent years, I've seen him on a dozen programs on Christian television. He had a great ministry especially in prisons.

He was 83. No cause of death was announced.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ex-globetrotters-star-meadowlark-lemon-dies-143738500--nba.html

 

[Schoonerman]

I read of Meadowlark's passing yesterday. Sorry to hear of his passing. I remember my Dad taking me and my brother to the Tulsa Civic Center to see them and although I was not into basketball as a kid, I loved the show they put on. I always liked seeing them on ABC's "Wide World of Sports." He truly was a basketball magician and will be missed.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Yep, he and Curly Neal, my favs.

Funny fellows.

 

[Plainosooner]

I'm just curious about how many on the board never heard of Meadlowlark Lemon. He's been out of the team's activities for years.

 

[MdSooner#1]

I'm just curious about how many on the board never heard of Meadlowlark Lemon. He's been out of the team's activities for years.

I can't imagine any of us old timers could forget or not have heard of Mr Lemon. As a youth we went to the Myriad in downtown OKC every year to watch them. I always rooted for the Generals for some reason.


I loved Meadowlark but my favorite was Marques Haynes. An Oklahoman.

 

[td71sooner]

I used to love watching him as a kid when they would come on TV. I spent untold hours on the basketball court trying to mimic his half court hook shoot. Like a blind squirrel finding an acorn, I would make it occasionally.

 

[Plainosooner]

That makes sense. As an aside, did you know that when he played for the Cowboys that Haynes was the father in law to Drew Pearson?

I am 64. Not sure if I ever saw Marques with the Globies. When I was about 15, Goose Tatum had a traveling band of ballers that he called the Harlem Wizards, and Marcus Haynes played for them. They were more than a little less notable than the Globetrotters. They played in my old high school gym when it did not hold 500. Maybe not 400.

By then Marques would have been close to 40. I looked up age on Wiki just now. I did not know that he actually died in Plano. It was a little over 7 months ago. He was 89. Tatum died in January of 1967. So I was likely 14. He was 15 or 16 years older than Marques. The funniest part of that night was that OUr choir director, who was a pretty lousy jr hi basketball official, worked the game as their comedy foil.

 

[Plainosooner]

That makes sense. As an aside, did you know that when he played for the Cowboys that Haynes was the father in law to Drew Pearson?

I am 64. Not sure if I ever saw Marques with the Globies. When I was about 15, Goose Tatum had a traveling band of ballers that he called the Harlem Wizards, and Marcus Haynes played for them. They were more than a little less notable than the Globetrotters. They played in my old high school gym when it did not hold 500. Maybe not 400.

By then Marques would have been close to 40. I looked up age on Wiki just now. I did not know that he actually died in Plano. It was a little over 7 months ago. He was 89. Tatum died in January of 1967. So I was likely 14. He was 15 or 16 years older than Marques. The funniest part of that night was that OUr choir director, who was a pretty lousy jr hi basketball official, worked the game as their comedy foil.

 

[SoonerTulsan]

That makes sense. As an aside, did you know that when he played for the Cowboys that Haynes was the father in law to Drew Pearson?

I am 64. Not sure if I ever saw Marques with the Globies. When I was about 15, Goose Tatum had a traveling band of ballers that he called the Harlem Wizards, and Marcus Haynes played for them. They were more than a little less notable than the Globetrotters. They played in my old high school gym when it did not hold 500. Maybe not 400.

By then Marques would have been close to 40. I looked up age on Wiki just now. I did not know that he actually died in Plano. It was a little over 7 months ago. He was 89. Tatum died in January of 1967. So I was likely 14. He was 15 or 16 years older than Marques. The funniest part of that night was that OUr choir director, who was a pretty lousy jr hi basketball official, worked the game as their comedy foil.

My Dad LOVED Bball and took us to see the Globetrotters many times. However, he took me to see "Marques Haynes and the Magicians" at Tulsa McLain HS in '67 or '68 I think. Remember my Dad telling me that Marques was the best ball handler...ever. Pretty high praise from a guy (my Dad) who Coach Jim Killingsworth called the best player he ever coached.

 

[K2C Sooner]

My Dad LOVED Bball and took us to see the Globetrotters many times. However, he took me to see "Marques Haynes and the Magicians" at Tulsa McLain HS in '67 or '68 I think. Remember my Dad telling me that Marques was the best ball handler...ever. Pretty high praise from a guy (my Dad) who Coach Jim Killingsworth called the best player he ever coached.

Who is Coach Killingsworth? I've heard that name before.

As far as the Globetrotters, I saw them once live. I was disappointed. I guess I had seen them to much on TV. Left before it was over.....

 

[Plainosooner]

I remember the Magicians and my dad took me when we were still in Tulsa. I think that it was at the Fairgrounds Pavillion.

I think Marques owned the Magicians.

 

[SoonerTulsan]

Who is Coach Killingsworth? I've heard that name before.

As far as the Globetrotters, I saw them once live. I was disappointed. I guess I had seen them to much on TV. Left before it was over.....

Coach "Killer" put TCU basketball on the map. Where he retired from. He also had a 2 year stint at OSU, but his real claim to fame was stopping Coach Wooden and UCLA's 11 year run of Final Four appearances while coaching Idaho State in 1977. He coached my Dad at Schulter, OK HS in the early 50's. Population, about 200. Think Gene Hackman, Hickory High, and "Hoosiers"...very similar.

 

[SoonerTulsan]

I remember the Magicians and my dad took me when we were still in Tulsa. I think that it was at the Fairgrounds Pavillion.

I think Marques owned the Magicians.

I had an autographed picture YEARS ago, long since lost.