Hump Day History


 The Harlem Globetrotters played their first game on this day in 1927.

They're not actually from Harlem though.  Their founder, Abe Saperstein, had taken over coaching duties for the Savoy Big Five in Chicago.  It was a specific choice to base the team out of the famous African American neighborhood in New York, as he wanted to promote their racial makeup.

It wasn't until 1939 that the team started employing the tricks and the comedy bits, making the 40s-50s one of their most popular runs.  But for me, it's the early 70's team, and that's largely thanks to Scooby Doo.

BJ Mason, Curly Neal, Geese Ausbie, Meadowlark Lemon, Gip Gipson, and Pablo Robertson.


After Meadowlark retired, attendance started dropping.  But they have earned their place in America's history, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute.  In 2002, players were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.


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