Harlem Globetrotters icon Fred “Curly” Neal has died at 77 years old.
The Globetrotters confirmed that he died in his home outside of Houston early Thursday. His cause of death has not been confirmed.
A star with the Globetrotters during their heyday, Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the team from 1963-85.
His ball-handling displays, shooting touch and infectious smile were mainstays at Globetrotters games as they entertained fans around the world in basketball exhibitions.
Neal was born and raised in Greensboro, N.C. He played college ball at Johnson C. Smith, a CIAA school in Charlotte where he averaged 23.1 points per game. He picked up the nickname Curly due to his shaved head resembling that of “Three Stooges” star Curly Howard.
The Globetrotters confirmed that he died in his home outside of Houston early Thursday. His cause of death has not been confirmed.
A star with the Globetrotters during their heyday, Neal played in more than 6,000 games with the team from 1963-85.
His ball-handling displays, shooting touch and infectious smile were mainstays at Globetrotters games as they entertained fans around the world in basketball exhibitions.
Neal was born and raised in Greensboro, N.C. He played college ball at Johnson C. Smith, a CIAA school in Charlotte where he averaged 23.1 points per game. He picked up the nickname Curly due to his shaved head resembling that of “Three Stooges” star Curly Howard.
