Harlem Globetrotters Legend Sweet Lou Dunbar has been both a player and coach during his storied career with the organization, and he continues to mentor as the team’s director of player personnel – in charge of developing the Globetrotters’ new generation of talent – as well as being a head coach for an eighth season.As one of the most popular showmen in team history, fans around the world adored Sweet Lou’s on-court comedy routines and shared his love of the game. Sweet Lou has journeyed the equivalent of three times around the world, entertaining more than 10 million people on…
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Harlem Globetrotters Legend Sweet Lou Dunbar has been both a player and coach during his storied career with the organization, and he continues to mentor as the team’s director of player personnel – in charge of developing the Globetrotters’ new generation of talent – as well as being a head coach for an eighth season.
As one of the most popular showmen in team history, fans around the world adored Sweet Lou’s on-court comedy routines and shared his love of the game. Sweet Lou has journeyed the equivalent of three times around the world, entertaining more than 10 million people on six continents. Among his many travels, Sweet Lou was one of the Globetrotters on hand when the team visited Rome and named Pope John Paul II an Honorary Globetrotter on Nov. 29, 2000.
In his current role, Sweet Lou has also appeared with the team on recent ESPN specials, as well as such primetime TV hits as “The Celebrity Apprentice.” During his playing days, he appeared on popular shows like ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” “The Tonight Show,” “The White Shadow,” “The Love Boat” and “The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island.” He was even immortalized in animation on “The Super Globetrotters” cartoon series.
A fourth round (59th overall) NBA Draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975, Sweet Lou was later discovered by a Globetrotters scout during a summer pro league with the Houston Rockets. Sweet Lou has made Houston his permanent home since starring for the University of Houston from 1972-1975. At 6-10, he averaged 23 points and seven rebounds a game and was one of the first big men to play point guard for a major university. He also played forward and center for the Cougars, earning All-American honors, and was inducted into the University of Houston Hall of Honor on Nov. 15, 2008.
The native of Minden, La., averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds a game to lead Webster High School to the state championship as a senior, tallying 49 points in the title game. He was named “Mr. Basketball of Louisiana,” joining other former Louisiana stars such as Willis Reed, Bob Pettit and Elvin Hayes.
Sweet Lou is one of a select few to receive the “Legends” distinction, presented to those who have made a major contribution to the success and the development of the Globetrotters organization. He was so honored on Feb. 9, 2007, at Houston’s Toyota Center.
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