Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon has died. Meadowlark was found dead in his bed on Monday, December 28. His daughter, Donna Maria Lemon confirmed that her father passed away in his sleep at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. George “Meadowlark” Lemon III was 83 years old.
Meadowlark’s daughter Donna Maria spoke with the New York Daily News to confirm the death of the Harlem Globetrotter star. Although the cause for Lemon’s death is still pending, Donna Maria commented on his sudden passing. “We were shocked. He didn’t have any illnesses that we knew of. He was a healthy man. He never drank all of his days or smoked cigarettes. We just feel it was natural causes at age 83 after having lived a very full life,” Lemon’s daughter disclosed.
Meadowlark Lemon did live a full life and will forever be known as the Clown Prince, the most famous of the Harlem Globetrotters. With enough skill to have been an NBA superstar, Lemon opted to play for the Globetrotters instead, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Meadowlark was such an amazing entertainer on the court that he became bigger than the game itself. Lemon has always been a favorite and played for the Harlem Globetrotters for 22 years. The basketball prankster played his first game with the team back in 1954. Since then, Lemon played in more than 16,000 games for the team before retiring in 1979 and then returning in 1993 for a 50-game comeback season.
In addition to his immeasurable basketball skill, Lemon is credited with a handful of acting roles, including several appearances as himself. He was also an ordained minister and founded Meadowlark Lemon Ministries. George “Meadowlark” Lemon III leaves behind ten children as well as his second wife, Dr. Cynthia Lemon.