J.C. Gipson began his outstanding career with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1952 and wore the famous red, white, and blue for 20-plus glorious seasons. His personality, superb playing ability, and outstanding flair for showmanship made him one of the most popular Globetrotters of all-time. Amazingly, Gipson had no college experience and played only a single season of high school basketball at Thomas Jefferson High in Los Angeles. Selected as the city's "Prep Player of the Year," Gipson was flooded with college offers but elected to sign a contract with the Globetrotters.
The 6-8, 250-pound forward could run the floor, shoot…
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J.C. Gipson began his outstanding career with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1952 and wore the famous red, white, and blue for 20-plus glorious seasons. His personality, superb playing ability, and outstanding flair for showmanship made him one of the most popular Globetrotters of all-time. Amazingly, Gipson had no college experience and played only a single season of high school basketball at Thomas Jefferson High in Los Angeles. Selected as the city's "Prep Player of the Year," Gipson was flooded with college offers but elected to sign a contract with the Globetrotters.
The 6-8, 250-pound forward could run the floor, shoot from long range and rebound with the best. He established a World Series of Basketball record by tallying 33 points against the 1953 College All-Americans in Chicago. Gipson was one of six Globetrotters animated in the popular Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera cartoon series in the 1970s. Off the floor, he served as a team spokesman and had an unbelievable relationship with children of all ages from around the world. Gipson received his "Legends" Ring on Aug. 3, 1995, and passed away on Dec. 30, 2009.
