Harlem Globetrotters Icon Fred “Curley” Neal Passes Away at 77

Thursday, March 26, 2020

GoLocalPDX News Team

Fred "Curley" Neal PHOTO: Harlem Globetrotters

Harlem Globetrotters legend Fred “Curley” Neal has passed away at the age of 77, the Globetrotters announced on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

“We have lost one of the most genuine human beings the world has ever known. Curly’s basketball skill was unrivaled by most, and his warm heart and huge smile brought joy to families worldwide,” said Globetrotters General Manager Jeff Munn in a statement on Twitter.

According to the Globetrotters, Neal died at his home just outside of Houston, Texas.

Neal's cause of death is unknown, though The Undefeated reports that he had been battling a stroke over the last several years.

Neal With Globetrotters

According to the Globetrotters’ website, Neal made more than 6,000 appearances with the team from 1963 to 1985.

“It was Curly's magical ball-handling, shooting, charismatic smile, and iconic bald head, in more than 6,000 games in 97 countries, that made them start to play and fall in love with the game,” writes the Globetrotters in a series of tweets.

The Globetrotters retired his #22 jersey in 2008 in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

At the time, he was just the fifth player to receive the honor.

Neal joined the Globetrotters after averaging more than 23 points per game during his senior year at Johnson C. Smith University. He led them to the CIAA title.