Goose Tatum

Goose Tatum
(1921-1967)

Hall of Fame Induction: 2011

Card Shown:
Goose Documentary Cover

Position: Entertainer
Height: 6’4″

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Reece “Goose” Tatum, dubbed the Clown Prince of Basketball, starred for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1942-1954, except for the two years that he served in the military. Tatum and the Trotters performed throughout the world for millions of fans that included kings, popes and presidents. At that time Goose was probably the most recognized athlete in the world. Tatum loved playing basketball and making people laugh. He was the forerunner to another basketball legend, the Globetrotters’ Meadowlark Lemon.

Awards and Honors

• Tatum attended Booker T. Washington High School in Arkansas where he played basketball, football, and baseball.
• Goose played professional baseball in the Negro leagues. He began his career at 16 playing for the Louisville Black Colonels. The clowning that Tatum displayed in the field and at the plate led Abe Saperstein to ask Goose to join the Harlem Globetrotters.
• On February 19, 1948 Tatum and the all-black Harlem Globetrotters played a historic game against George Mikan and the all-white Minneapolis Lakers. Known for their combination of comedy and basketball skills, the Trotters could play with the best in the game at that time. They defeated the Lakers 61-59 in a game that contributed to the racial integration of the game of basketball.
• Goose was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1974.
• On February 8, 2002, Tatum’s number 50 jersey was retired by the Harlem Globetrotters.

Points of Interest

• Goose studied clowns and mimes to help improve his showmanship. Some his antics while performing for the Globetrotters included hiding in the crowd, joining the opposing team’s huddle, and “feinting” until he was revived by the odor of his shoes.
• Tatum in credited with creating the hook shot, which he could shoot accurately even without looking at the basket. Later stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar popularized this classic shot.
• At only 6’4″, Goose had a tremendous 84-inch wingspan. He held the ball effortlessly in one hand and confused defenders with his ball fakes and no-look passes.
• Tatum and Marques Haynes eventually left the Globetrotters to run their own barnstorming basketball team, the Harlem Magicians.
• Oscar Robertson nominated Tatum to be recognized by the Hall of Fame for reasons he discusses in this New York Times article. Fellow Globetrotters Meadowlark Lemon and Marques Haynes had already entered the Hall as well as Trotters founder Abe Saperstein. Goose became the first Hall of Fame inductee selected by the recently formed Committee on African-American Pioneers of the Game. They have tried to ensure that Goose Tatum, although not as famous or as flashy as his fellow 2011 inductee Dennis Rodman, will not be forgotten.

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