Number 22 to be honored during special Feb. 15 ceremony at New
York’s Madison Square Garden
(PHOENIX, Jan. 9, 2008) – Still sporting the trademark
shaved head, wide smile and infectious laugh that made him a pop culture icon
for decades, basketball legend Curly Neal will have his number
22 retired by the world renowned Harlem Globetrotters at the
world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. This
historic event will take place as part of the Globetrotters’ current
“Magic As Ever” World Tour, during the team’s performance in
New York on Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Curly will be just the fifth Globetrotter in the team’s illustrious 82-year
history to have his jersey number retired, joining some of the biggest names in
basketball lore: Wilt Chamberlain (13), Meadowlark
Lemon (36), Marques Haynes (20) and Goose
Tatum (50).
One of the truly magical dribblers and shooters ever to pick up a ball, Curly
captured the imagination of fans worldwide, playing in more than 6,000 games in
97 countries with the Globetrotters. Number 22 played for 22 seasons in the
red, white and blue, from 1963 to 1985.
Curly was part of one of the most extraordinary eras in the team’s history,
appearing on several popular television programs and specials, including “ABC’s
Wide World of Sports,” “The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine,” and “The
Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island.” He was also immortalized in
animation on “The Harlem Globetrotters” cartoon series and on episodes of
“Scooby Doo.”
“Curly Neal represents the purity of sport and everything that is great about
the Globetrotters and the game of basketball,” said Globetrotters CEO
Kurt Schneider. “He helped build this organization into a
worldwide phenomenon, and we are proud to bestow this honor upon him. He truly
personifies wholesome family entertainment and elicits fond memories for
millions of fans around the world.”
This special “Curly Neal Weekend” also features games at the IZOD Center in
East Rutherford, N.J., on Saturday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 18, and at Nassau
Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on Sunday, Feb. 17.
Celebrating their 82nd consecutive year of touring the world, the Harlem
Globetrotters have played in 118 countries on six continents, entertaining over
125 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people
from all walks of life. The organization is one of only six teams to be
inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Click here to purchase tickets for the 2008
“Magic As Ever” World Tour. For information about group or scout tickets,
contact the Globetrotters at 800-641-HOOP.
