Harlem Globetrotters legend Fred “Curly” Neal has died at the age of 77.
Neal passed away Thursday morning (March 26) at his home outside of Houston, according to a statement posted on the Harlem Globetrotters’ official Twitter page.
The statement described Neal as the Harlem Globetrotters icon known for his “trademark shaved head” and “charismatic smile.”
“Fred ‘Curly’ Neal – the Harlem Globetrotters icon known worldwide for his trademark shaved head and charismatic smile – passed away this morning in his home outside of Houston at the age of 77.”
Globetrotters general manager Jeff Munn also confirmed Neal’s death in a statement released by the team.
“We have lost one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known. “His basketball skill was unrivaled by most, and his warm heart and huge smile brought joy to families worldwide. He always made time for his many fans and inspired millions.”
Fred “Curly” Neal – the Harlem Globetrotters icon known worldwide for his trademark shaved head and charismatic smile – passed away this morning in his home outside of Houston at the age of 77. pic.twitter.com/JdZa6zTvZU
— Harlem Globetrotters (@Globies) March 26, 2020
“We have lost one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known,” said Globetrotters General Manager Jeff Munn. “Curly’s basketball skill was unrivaled by most, and his warm heart and huge smile brought joy to families worldwide.”
— Harlem Globetrotters (@Globies) March 26, 2020
The news of Neal’s death comes soon after the death of the former NBA commissioner, David Stern.
In January, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant also died tragically in a helicopter crash in the Calabasas area of California.
Fred “Curly” Neal bio
Fred “Curly” Neal was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 19, 1942, according to his bio on the Harlem Globetrotters’ website.
He played basketball at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, averaging more than 23 points per game. He led his team to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) title in his senior year and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame for the 2008 class.
Neal joined the Globies in 1963 and played for the team for 22 seasons, before retiring in 1985. He was one of the best-known members of the team with his No. 22 jersey, and was noted for his expert ball-handling and dribbling skills.
He played more than 6,000 games in 97 countries for the Globies. In February 2008, the team officially retired his No. 22 jersey at a ceremony at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
He was one of only five Harlem Globetrotter players to be so honored. The other four players were Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes, Meadowlark Lemon, and Goose Tatum, according to the Globies website.
He appeared in several popular TV shows, including ABC’s Wide World of Sports, The Ed Sullivan Show, and CBS Sports Spectacular.
He also appeared on The Love Boat, The White Shadow, on TV specials, such as The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan‘s Island, The Harlem Globetrotters animation series, and Scooby-Doo.
His nickname “Curly” was an ironic reference to his shaved head.
Tributes pour in on Twitter
Basketball fans started posting tributes to the Harlem Globetrotters legend after news of his death broke on Thursday.
THANK YOU‼️ When you first saw me play, you said, “You got it.” Rest in Peace to a Legend, Fred “Curly” Neal #HarlemGlobetrotters #CurlyNeal pic.twitter.com/3h59Dhzkzs
— Flip White #19 (@iamsaulwhitejr) March 26, 2020
RIP Curly Neal. He and the Trotters brought great joy to a kid in the 60's, and to lots of kids for a very long time. He and Meadowlark Lemon were the Globetrotters in that day.
Harlem Globetrotters icon Fred 'Curly' Neal dies at 77 years old https://t.co/oOYE7dllij
— bmaz (@bmaz) March 26, 2020
FRED “CURLY” NEAL Last night the World lost a true ambassador of the game of basketball and outside of Muhammad Ali one of the most recognizable faces on the Planet! Rest In Peace my Brother…. #harlemglobetrotters pic.twitter.com/7XsCfyDGJZ
— Dr. Curley Boo Johnson (@BooCurley) March 26, 2020
Among former Harlem Globetrotters team members who paid tribute was his friend, Curley “Boo” Johnson.
As of this report, services for Neal are pending, per the Globetrotters website.