Gentle Giant, former Harlem Globetrotter “General” Lee Holman dies at 61
Gentle Giant, former Harlem Globetrotter “General” Lee Holman dies at 61
One of basketball’s greatest entertainers, ‘General’ Lee Holman, has died aged 61.
The Harlem Globetrotter, who played for the exhibition team from 1976 to 1982, died on Christmas Day, his wife said.
Holman passed away two days before his former Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, who died aged 83 on Sunday.
The General, who lived in South Carolina, was regarded as one of the team’s great playmakers and was a leader on the court.
But back at home the 6ft 8ins star was a gentle giant who enjoyed the quiet life, his wife said.
‘People didn’t realize that he was actually bashful and the time that he would come out was playing basketball,’ Mrs Holman told WISTV.
‘And after that, even here [at home], he took the road of least resistance at very chance. He would quell situations because he liked peace.’
She said that after her husband retired he became a counselor at a children’s home.
Holman died surrounded by his family and friends at a hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. His cause of death has not been released.
As well as his wife of 18 years, he leaves behind his former wife, Kaylynn, five children and 11 grandchildren.
Fellow Globetrotter Lemon died at his home in Arizona on Sunday. He played for the Harlem Globetrotters for all 24 years of his professional career.
He was known for making unbelievable half-court shots during games, some from behind his back without ever looking at the hoop.
In addition to his natural skills, he also had a funny side, and his antics during games and the pranks he would pull on opposing teams earned him the nickname ‘Clown Prince’.
