Curly was the expert dribbler, and my second favorite. Meadowlark lemon always stole the show.
Neal was 77.
NPR-
He hailed from Greensboro, N.C., and excelled as a college basketball player at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. In 2008, he was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Neal is one of eight Globetrotters players ever to have their jersey numbers retired – in the company of legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and Meadowlark Lemon.
He stayed involved with the Globetrotters after retiring, continuing to make public and promotional appearances for the team.
Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, said it was “hard to express how much joy Curly Neal brought to my life growing up.”
“The basketball community has lost a Legend,” NBA Alumni said.
They used to come to our city every year back in the 70’s. Saw them a couple times. Good entertainment. Curly was always my favorite. The court jester so to speak. Good times.
I played for the Generals in 1968….Well, I could’ve but I had to go to jr. high….
@Tim
Same here.
Curly Neal was only 77? For some reason that makes me feel younger, seems like I’ve been watching him my whole life. Anyway, he was a great entertainer, I was a fan. RIP Mr. Neal!
I saw him as a Kid when I thought they were a real pro team.
It was Fun as a Kid.
Thanks for the laughs Curly!
I always wondered if they could have won the olympic gold.
Back when they were ambassadors of the sport, rather then the spoiled millionaire crybabies of today.
Aw. He was great. Weren’t the globetrotters on one of the gilligan’s island specials? lol
RIP, Curly. These were really good dudes and role models. Meadowlark was another example of goodness, solid Christian, good dad to 10 kids, great athlete and showman. Godspeed to both.
In addition to Curly’s dribbling, I still can’t get over the Meadowlark hook shot that never missed from half court.
The bucket of confetti was my favorite prank.
In this clip, Neal hits three half court shots in a row. Lemon hits 2 great hooks-
https://youtu.be/nsDfsdbbkJc
That’s good stuff, Fur. Thx. Lasting memories. They were so great with the kids.
The Globetrotters were way more entertaining than the nba.
sad … best ball-handler I ever saw
(not a quip-intended comment … thank you very much)
… the hapless Washington General, lol
So glad I got to see The Harlem Globetrotters in their prime as a kid. So incredible!
My favorite basketball to watch as a kid – other then games with Bob Cousy, Elgin Baylor and Bill Russell.
Carpe Donktum should meme that opening clip of him dribbling. Replace Curly’s head with Trump’s and the hapless General with CNN.
How fun were they to watch on The Wide World of Sports on ABC. That was when sports were sports not SJW reporting.
I also saw them live what a fun bunch.
That’s when it was, “the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat”. Those were the good old days.
He made good. Fun times.
Sadly it was in my town in 1971 when the Globetrotters went on strike and refused to play. Me and a couple friends had tickets for the game and were pissed.
No.
Man I saw them somewhere as a kid.
RIP Curley
The game is getting real in heaven
He was a great athlete, entertainer and American.
Compare with that POS “Chi-Com Le Bron”.
“Chi-Com Le Bron”
The punk from planet A-Kron!