Meadowlark Lemon - Trust Your Next Shot: A Guide to a Life of Joy

When You Give Joy, You Get Joy Back

Expressions of Love for Meadowlark

The Globetrotters made a lot of friends over the years in towns and cities all over the world and made basketball fans out of people who didnt have any idea what basketball was. I first met Mead in North Carolina. I put him in a uniform that very night and he even got to play a little. He had a lot of confidence in what his intentions were. I told Abe (Saperstein) about him. I said, That is a future Globetrotter. He was already a good athlete. He made himself a natural comedian. He wanted to do the comedy routines. He did that through hard work, through concentration, and he applied himself. Without self-application, you never can do it. He saw something he wanted to do a role he wanted to play the comedy routines. He worked hard, and he accomplished what he wanted. Now, hes not only a good basketball player, but a self-made comedian.

People liked him and enjoyed him and came back to see him over and over, and this has been going on for years.

Marques Haynes, the legendary Globetrotter who gave
Meadowlark his tryout with the team, HOF 1998

I enjoyed playing with Meadowlark for 15 years with the Globetrotters. We played over 6,000 games together all over the world. Hes an inspiration to me and I learned a lot from him. Hes one of the greatest showmen that ever played for the Globetrotters, right up there with Goose Tatum and Geese Ausbie. Hes always been a great friend and motivator for me.

All I think about are the good times with Meadowlark and fond memories of the two of us and the rest of the teammates, the joy of giving back to people and children all over the world.

The Globetrotters are one of the greatest basketball teams of all time. They gave Meadowlark and me a chance to perfect our basketball skills and showcase them all over the world. We want to thank Abe Saperstein and his family, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Curly Neal, the famous ball-handling showman of the Harlem Globetrotters

Meadowlark Lemon is one very clever man, unique and truly one of a kind.

Mickey Rooney, beloved actor and comedian

To know him is to truly love him Hes an extremely nice man. Im glad that we were inducted in the same class at the Hall of Fame (2003). The man is a true icon ... Meadow is the kind of guy who would never have a bad night plying his craft. If you thought enough of him to pay to come and see him play, you truly got entertained.

Earl Lloyd, first African-American to play in the NBA, HOF 2003

It is my honor and pleasure to be included in my big brother Meadowlark Lemons book.

I am the daughter of Abe Saperstein, the founder and coach of the Harlem Globetrotters. We were raised as one big family, so I am very lucky to have a lot of big brothers!

How I remember that warm summer evening in Germany in the late 1950s. Goose Tatum had left the Globetrotters along with Marques Haynes to form their own team in 1952. My father kept looking for the ideal person to be the Clown Prince of Basketball. No one seemed to fill the criteria my father had in his mind. Not until that warm evening ... I was sitting next to my dad when this young soldier came over to us and introduced himself. Im Meadow Lemon. My dad and he spoke for a short time. Meadow then walked on. My father said to me he had seen Meadow play in the U.S. and then said, Honey girl, you just met the future star of the Harlem Globetrotters! And how true that was for all those years!

Eloise Saperstein, daughter of Globetrotters Founder Abe Saperstein

Meadowlark and I have been friends for more than 50 years. When we were in high school, my team was probably the No.1 team in the state of North Carolina. His school, Williston High School, was probably the second best in the state, so it was always a challenge every time we had to compete against each other. Because of our relationship, I look for him at every golf tournament and event I appear at across the country. We have such a good time together. We grew up together, we are great friends, and we continue to be so.

Sam Jones, legendary NBA All Star, HOF 1984

We roomed together for the first 12 years Meadowlark played with us. Hes one of the most dedicated Globetrotters Ive ever been around. His primary objective every time he hit the floor was to make people happy, and make them have one of the greatest experiences of their lifetime. That was embedded in him. Thats all he thought about.

Charles Tex Harrison, coach and former player of the Harlem Globetrotters

Mr. Lemon-Man has inspired millions across the world through his gift. I dont refer only to basketball, but also to his magnificent gift of caring, sharing, and loving all people. I only hope my kids would possess an ounce of the Lemon-Mans heart, which easily radiates through that smile.

A.C. Green, Los Angeles Laker great, aka Ironman
Founder, A.C. Green Youth Foundation

Meadowlark inspired me to play for a long time. I thought, If he could do it, I can do it. The legacy that Meadowlark leaves is something that every child and adult can benefit from.

Robert Parish, Boston Celtics great, HOF 2003

Meadowlark always amazed me because of his rapport with the crowds that came out to see the Globetrotters. He is the funniest guy in the world. The character that he played thats his personality! He makes people laugh and open to receive the joy he brings with him. I love that guy.

Im so proud of him. God took him from being lost to finding a great wife and family.

Im glad hes sharing his life story. He is a precious person. We are all precious and valuable and unique. That skill that you have you already have the skills to make it in this world thats the way God planned it. All you have to do is develop them.

`When we talk on the phone before we even start talking we are laughing.

Rosey Grier, former NFL All-Pro Defensive Tackle,
member of the Fearsome Foursome

When I was nine years old, I saw Meadowlark Lemon and the Globetrotters play for the first time on television, on ABCs Wide World of Sports. He mesmerized me with his antics and I could not move from that television. After the game, I ran to my mom and said, Mom, I want to become a Globetrotter just like Meadowlark Lemon. So I wrote it down on a piece of paper. That piece of paper reminded me to do all of the necessary things throughout my life in order to reach that goal. In 1985, I got that chance to play for the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. That dream lasted for 11 years.

Now Ive known Meadowlark (Youngfella) Lemon for over a decade and he has been a father, a friend, and a mentor to me. Before playing with Meadowlark, Id never had an opportunity to play with such a perfectionist. He is touched by GOD to bring joy and happiness to others and to put smiles on the faces of the young and the young at heart. Love you!