# How does one become a Harlem Globetrotter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699 "2003-02-26T18:49:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/1 "2003-02-26T18:49:16Z")
I guess the title says it all. What are the requirements for joining the Globetrotters? Presuming that a professional level of basketball profiency is required is it really more lucrative than an NBA basketball career? ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/2 "2003-02-26T19:47:09Z")
It is not more lucrative than the NBA, or else top level players would be clamoring to make the squad. Globetrotters are typically players who couldn’t cut it as pro level players, but don’t want to play in overseas leagues. A [link from the Globetrotters’ website](http://harlemglobetrotters.com/players/tryouts.php) tells us that they actively recruit college players from around the world, likely ones who otherwise wouldn’t make it in a pro draft; they also welcome people to apply for a tryout with the team. Showmanship, I’d imagine, is more important than real basketball skill. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/3 "2003-02-26T19:51:10Z")
When I took my kid to see them a month ago, it looked like the net wasn’t at 10 feet. The level of play wasn’t as high as an NBA game. Slight hijack - How does one become a Washington General? How would you feel if you got rejected trying out for them? ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/4 "2003-02-26T19:53:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bryanmaguire \* > **How does one become a Harlem Globetrotter?** Practice, practice, practice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/5 "2003-02-26T20:56:58Z")
I understand Hamilton Burger used to play for the Washington Generals. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/6 "2003-02-26T21:37:07Z")
The Globetrotters can be reached via their website, [www.harlemglobetrotters.com](http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com) . They want to hear from you! And depending on how the audition goes, thry might personally put you in touch with the Washington Generals… ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/7 "2003-02-27T08:43:21Z")
Slight Hijack - Has there ever been a white Harlem Globetrotter? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/8 "2003-02-27T12:32:17Z")
[Homer Simpson] Aah, the Luftwaffe … the Washington Generals of the History Channel! [/Homer Simpson] ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-become-a-harlem-globetrotter/157699/9 "2003-02-27T13:02:28Z")
Bob Karstens (signed 1942) was the first white Globetrotter. There have been a few since then.