Lucius “Too Tall” Winston

Courtesy Harlem Globetrotters

Game Changers

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

February 2, 2026

By Alicia Green

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

Lucius “Too Tall” Winston is up in the stands, far from the basketball hoop on the court below. He’s not even facing it! With his back to the hoop, he flings the ball over his head. SWISH, it goes right in! The crowd erupts in cheers.

Winston’s no-look shot is just one of the amazing tricks the Harlem Globetrotters are famous for. Fans love their high-flying slam dunks, behind-the-back passes, and other moves.

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

The Globetrotters have been delighting fans for 100 years. And without them, professional basketball might look a lot different today.

Lucius “Too Tall” Winston is up in the stands. He’s far from the basketball hoop on the court below. He’s not even facing it! With his back to the hoop, he throws the ball over his head. SWISH, it goes right in! The crowd cheers.

The Harlem Globetrotters are famous for amazing tricks. Winston’s no-look shot is just one of them. Fans love the team’s slam dunks, behind-the-back passes, and other moves.

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

The Globetrotters have been delighting fans for 100 years. And without them, professional basketball might look different today.

Meet the Harlem Globetrotters

Witness the magic of the Globetrotters in action!

Proving Their Skills

The Globetrotters got their start in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. The all-Black team was first known as the Savoy Big Five. Soon after, businessman Abe Saperstein took over the team. He later renamed it the Harlem Globetrotters. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City that’s rich in Black history.

At the time, many parts of American society were segregated, including professional basketball. Black players weren’t allowed to join the same pro leagues White players could.

So the Globetrotters traveled from town to town, taking on anyone who would play them. That included farmers in Iowa and lumberjacks in Canada.

Most opponents were no match for the Globetrotters. They dominated other teams so easily that they began adding tricks to keep fans entertained.

The Globetrotters started in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. The all-Black team was first known as the Savoy Big Five. Soon after, businessman Abe Saperstein took over the team. He later renamed it the Harlem Globetrotters. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City. It’s rich in Black history.

At the time, many parts of American society were segregated. That included professional basketball. Black players weren’t allowed to play in pro leagues with White players.

So the Globetrotters traveled from town to town. They played against anyone who would play them. That included farmers in Iowa and lumberjacks in Canada.

Most opponents were no match for the Globetrotters. They beat other teams easily. They began adding tricks to keep fans entertained.

New Heights

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

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

The NBA struggled to gain fans. But the Globetrotters dazzled fans in packed arenas. 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 Harlem Globetrotters were playing other top pro teams in exhibition games. In 1948 and 1949, they beat the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers were an all-White team. Many people thought they were the best team in the world. Those games proved that the Globetrotters were as skilled as top White players.

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

The NBA had a hard time gaining fans. But the Globetrotters amazed fans in packed arenas. 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. He is now a coach.

Spreading Joy

Today the Harlem Globetrotters are more about entertaining fans than winning—though they rarely lose! They’ve played in more than 120 countries. Fans often get to join the team on the court to try out tricks.

“We put smiles on people’s faces,” says Dunbar.

This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary with a world tour. They’ll play in more than 300 places worldwide. Winston is proud to represent the history-making team.

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

Today the Harlem Globetrotters are more about entertaining fans than winning. But they rarely lose! They’ve played in more than 120 countries. Fans often join the team on the court to try out tricks.

“We put smiles on people’s faces,” says Dunbar.

This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary. They’re going on a world tour. They’ll play in more than 300 places around the world. Winston is proud to be on the history-making team.

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

Making Moves

Before each game, the Globetrotters gather in what they call the Magic Circle to perform tricks. Here are some of the team’s showstopping moves.

Body Roll

Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

Cherelle "Torch" George

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.

Around the World

Courtesy Harlem Globetrotters

Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar

This move starts with spinning the ball on one finger. The player then twists their wrist in a circle while still spinning the ball.

1. How does the article support the idea that without the Harlem Globetrotters, “professional basketball might look a lot different today”?

2. According to the article, how did segregation affect the Harlem Globetrotters in the team’s early years?

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

1. How does the article support the idea that without the Harlem Globetrotters, “professional basketball might look a lot different today”?

2. According to the article, how did segregation affect the Harlem Globetrotters in the team’s early years?

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

Revolucionarios del juego

Los Harlem Globetrotters, famosos en todo el mundo, llevan 100 años entreteniendo a los seguidores dentro y fuera de la cancha.

por Alicia Green

Al leer, piensa en: ¿A qué retos se enfrentaron los Harlem Globetrotters al principio?

Lucius “Too Tall” Winston está en las gradas, lejos de la canasta de baloncesto que hay abajo en la cancha. ¡Ni siquiera la mira! De espaldas a la canasta, lanza el balón por encima de su cabeza. Y ¡zas! Es un tiro limpio. La multitud lo aclama.

El lanzamiento de Winston a ciegas es solo uno de los trucos increíbles que dan fama a los Harlem Globetrotters. Sus seguidores adoran las canastas a gran altura, sus pases por la espalda y otras jugadas.

“Divierten a personas de todas las edades, desde 5 a 95 años”, dice Winston.

Los Globetrotters han cautivado a sus fanes por 100 años. Y sin ellos, el baloncesto profesional de hoy tal vez sería muy diferente.

Conoce a los Harlem Globetrotters (ESP)

¡Presencia la magia de los Globetrotters en acción!

Demostración de talento

Los Globetrotters comenzaron en 1926 en Chicago, Illinois. Al principio, a este equipo de jugadores solo negros se le conocía como los Savoy Big Five. Poco después, el empresario Abe Saperstein se hizo cargo del equipo. Más tarde cambió su nombre por el de Harlem Globetrotters. Harlem es un barrio de la Ciudad de Nueva York con una rica historia negra.

Por entonces, una gran parte de la sociedad estadounidense estaba segregada, también el baloncesto profesional. A los jugadores negros no se les permitía jugar en las mismas ligas profesionales que a los blancos.

Así que los Globetrotters viajaban de ciudad en ciudad, para competir con cualquiera que quisiera jugar contra ellos. Se enfrentaron a granjeros de Iowa y leñadores de Canadá.

La mayoría de oponentes no estaban a la altura de los Globetrotters. Dominaban a los demás equipos tan fácilmente que empezaron a añadir trucos para entretener a los fanes.

Nuevas alturas

Para la década de 1940, los Harlem Globetrotters habían comenzado a jugar contra otros equipos profesionales de élite en partidos de exhibición. En 1948 y 1949, derrotaron a los Lakers de Minneapolis, un equipo totalmente blanco. Muchos consideraban que los Lakers eran el mejor equipo del mundo. Esos partidos demostraron que los Globetrotters tenían tanto talento como los mejores jugadores blancos.

La Asociación Nacional de Baloncesto (NBA) se formó en 1949. Al año siguiente, contrató a tres exjugadores de los Globetrotters y se convirtieron en los primeros jugadores negros de la NBA.

La NBA tenía problemas para conseguir seguidores. Pero los Globetrotters deslumbraban a los seguidores en canchas abarrotadas. Para atraer a más público, los equipos de la NBA jugaban contra los Globetrotters en partidos de exhibición.

“Sin los Globetrotters, la NBA no tendría el éxito que tiene hoy”, dice Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar. Jugó en el equipo por 27 años y ahora es entrenador.

Un contagio de alegría

Hoy los Harlem Globetrotters se centran más en entretener a los fanes que en ganar, ¡aunque rara vez pierden! Han jugado en más de 120 países. A menudo, los aficionados se unen al equipo en la cancha para probar trucos.

“Hacemos sonreír a la gente”, dice Dunbar.

Este año, los Globetrotters celebran su centenario con una gira mundial. Jugarán en más de 300 lugares de todo el mundo. Winston se siente orgulloso de representar a este equipo histórico.

“Ha sido un viaje increíble”, dice.

Las jugadas

Antes de cada partido, los Globetrotters se reúnen en lo que ellos llaman el Círculo Mágico para realizar trucos. Estas son algunos de los trucos sensacionales del equipo.