Lucius “Too Tall” Winston

Courtesy Harlem Globetrotters

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Game Changers

The Harlem Globetrotters have been entertaining fans on and off the court for 100 years.

February 16, 2026
By Alicia Green

As You Read, Think About: What challenges did the Globetrotters face early on?

Meet the Harlem Globetrotters
Witness the magic of the Globetrotters in action!

Lucius “Too Tall” Winston is high up in the stands. With his back to the hoop, he flings the ball over his head. SWISH, it goes right in! The crowd cheers.

That’s just one of the many tricks the Harlem Globetrotters are famous for. The team’s exhibition games are filled with amazing moves. Fans love their slam dunks, behind-the-back passes, and more.

“It’s fun for all ages, whether you’re 5 or 95,” says Winston.

The Globetrotters have been delighting fans for 100 years. Along the way, they’ve helped make basketball more popular.

Lucius “Too Tall” Winston is up in the stands. He has his back to the hoop. Then he flings the ball over his head. SWISH, it goes right in!

The crowd cheers. That’s just one of the Harlem Globetrotters’ famous tricks. The team’s exhibition games are filled with amazing moves. Fans love their slam dunks and special passes.

“It’s fun for all ages, whether you’re 5 or 95,” says Winston.

The Globetrotters have been delighting fans for 100 years. And they’ve helped make basketball more popular.

Hitting the Road

© Patrick Green/Southcreek Global/ZUMApress.com/Alamy Stock Photo 

A fan learns to spin the ball on her finger.

The Globetrotters got their start in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. The all-Black team was first known as the Savoy Big Five. Businessman Abe Saperstein soon took over the team. He later renamed it the Harlem Globetrotters. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City. It has long been important to Black history.

At the time, segregation was a way of life in many parts of the United States. Black basketball players weren’t allowed to join the same pro leagues that White players could.

To make money, the Globetrotters traveled from town to town. They played against anyone they could. That included farmers in Iowa and lumberjacks in Canada. The Globetrotters beat most opponents easily. So they added trick plays to keep fans entertained.

The Globetrotters started in Chicago, Illinois. That was in 1926. They were an all-Black team. They were first known as the Savoy Big Five. Businessman Abe Saperstein soon took over the team. He renamed it the Harlem Globetrotters. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City. It’s important to Black history.

At the time, segregation was a way of life in the United States. Black basketball players weren’t allowed to play in pro leagues with White players.

So the Globetrotters went from town to town. They played against anyone they could. That included farmers in Iowa. It also included lumberjacks in Canada. The Globetrotters beat opponents easily. So they added trick plays to amuse fans.

New Heights

Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images 

In 1985, Lynette Woodard became the first woman to join the Globetrotters. Since then, about 20 women have played on the team.

By the 1940s, the Globetrotters were playing other pro teams in exhibition games. In 1948 and 1949, they beat the all-White Minneapolis Lakers. Many considered the Lakers the world’s best team. The games proved the Globetrotters were as talented as top White players.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1949. The following year, three former Globetrotters became the NBA’s first Black players.

At first, the NBA struggled to gain fans. But people packed into arenas to see the Globetrotters. To help draw crowds, NBA teams played the Globetrotters in exhibition games.

"Without the Globetrotters, the NBA wouldn’t be as successful as it is today,” says Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar. He played on the team for 27 years and is now a coach.

By the 1940s, the Globetrotters were playing other pro teams in exhibition games. In 1948 and 1949, they beat the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers were an all-White team. Many thought they were the best. The games proved the Globetrotters were as skilled as top White players.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1949. The next year, three former Globetrotters became the NBA’s first Black players.

At first, the NBA struggled to get fans. But people packed into arenas for the Globetrotters. To draw crowds, NBA teams played the Globetrotters in exhibition games.

“Without the Globetrotters, the NBA wouldn’t be as successful as it is today,” says Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar. He played on the team for 27 years. He is now a coach on the team.

Pause and Think

How did the Globetrotters help the NBA become popular?

How did the Globetrotters help the NBA become popular?

Spreading Joy

Today the Globetrotters are more about entertaining crowds than winning games. Fans often get to join the team on the court to try out tricks.

This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary. The team is going on a world tour. They will play in more than 300 places worldwide.

Winston is proud to be on the history-making team.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” he says.

Today the Globetrotters are more about delighting fans than winning. Fans often join the team on the court to try out tricks.

This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th year. They are going on a world tour. They will play in more than 300 places.

Winston is proud to be on the historymaking team.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” he says.

Making Moves

Before each game, the Globetrotters gather in what they call the Magic Circle (below). Each player shows off their best moves. Here are two.

Before each game, the Globetrotters gather in what they call the Magic Circle (below). Each player shows off their best moves. Here are two.

© Lorenzo Carnero via ZUMA Wire/Alamy Stock Photo

Courtesy Harlem Globetrotters

Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar

Around the World: This move starts with spinning the ball on one finger. The player then twists their wrist in a circle while continuing to spin the ball.

Around the World: This move starts with spinning the ball on one finger. The player then twists their wrist in a circle while continuing to spin the ball.

Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

Cherelle “Torch” George

Body Roll: Players put their arms up in a half circle. They roll the ball from one hand to the other across their chests and then around to their backs.

Body Roll: Players put their arms up in a half circle. They roll the ball from one hand to the other across their chests and then around to their backs.

1. According to the article, how did the Harlem Globetrotters help the National Basketball Association draw crowds?

2. Share one adjective you would use to describe the Harlem Globetrotters. Explain your choice.

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Magic Moves”?

1. According to the article, how did the Harlem Globetrotters help the National Basketball Association draw crowds?

2. Share one adjective you would use to describe the Harlem Globetrotters. Explain your choice.

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Magic Moves”?

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