Legendary Harlem Globetrotters star Meadowlark Lemon dies in Arizona

Meadowlark Lemon, the public face of the famed Harlem Globetrotters for nearly 25 years, has died in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 83.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Meadowlark Lemon. He was 83. #RIPMeadowlark pic.twitter.com/tCRWkZUD3h

— Harlem Globetrotters (@Globies) December 28, 2015

BREAKING: Meadowlark Lemon, the "clown prince" of the Harlem Globetrotters, has died, team says.

— The Associated Press (@AP) December 28, 2015

His family said he died Sunday.

The man who came to be known as the “Clown Prince of Basketball” began his career with the traveling exhibition team in 1955, after playing for two years at Florida A&M.

There was more than clowning to Lemon’s skills: He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Known for his confetti-in-the-water-bucket routine and slapstick comedy, the showman could also regularly sink half-court hook shots and dish out no-look-behind-the-back passes.

Former college and NBA players began tweeting condolences and memories after hearing of Lemon’s death.

Meadowlark Lemon played in more than 7,500 consecutive games and in over 100 countries during his 24 seasons with us pic.twitter.com/4nQOX1GWUD

— Harlem Globetrotters (@Globies) December 28, 2015

Got to meet the great Meadowlark Lemon at a number of Hall of Fame functions. What a gentle man. Can't wait for God to see that hook shot.

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) December 28, 2015

Was a privilege to be inducted into #HOF with @meadowlarkL in 2003. My last moment with him this past September. RIP pic.twitter.com/rdd5IaZQeF

— James Worthy (@JamesWorthy42) December 28, 2015

@Globies "When you give joy you get joy back." For all the joy you brought, the "Clown Prince"-basketball royalty. pic.twitter.com/PVoBrcQGEw

— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) December 28, 2015

After leaving the Globetrotters, Lemon started his own team, The Bucketeers,
and played on a variety of teams before rejoining the Globetrotters for a short
tour in 1994.

Lemon spent the last years of his life trying to spread a message of faith
through basketball.

He became an ordained minister in 1986 and was a
motivational speaker, touring the country to meet with children at basketball
camps and youth prisons with his Scottsdale-based Meadowlark Lemon
Ministries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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