FIBA Awarded Harlem Globetrotters Order of Merit
The international basketball federation honored the team during its centennial celebrations in Switzerland.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Basketball
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FIBA presented the prestigious Order of Merit to the Harlem Globetrotters at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball. The award recognizes the iconic organization for its extensive contributions to the global growth and promotion of the sport.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights how the team has leveraged its unique style to introduce basketball to new audiences worldwide over the past century. By breaking cultural barriers, the organization has played a significant role in the evolution of the game.
The Harlem Globetrotters have brought their unique brand of basketball to more than 120 countries and territories since their inception. The organization is currently celebrating its 100-year history of performance and global engagement.
The players
FIBA
The International Basketball Federation is the association of national organizations which governs the rules of basketball and international competition.
Harlem Globetrotters
This exhibition basketball team combines athleticism, theater, and comedy to promote the game of basketball to fans across the world.
Abe Saperstein
He was the founder and long-time owner of the Harlem Globetrotters who played a pivotal role in the professionalization of the sport.
Lynette Woodard
She is a legendary basketball player who made history in 1985 by becoming the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Nathaniel Clifton
Known as Sweetwater, he was an American professional basketball player who became the first African American to sign an NBA contract.
The details
Founded in Chicago by Abe Saperstein in 1926, the team has consistently used international tours to showcase skills and create opportunities within the sport. Notable historical milestones include the 1985 signing of Lynette Woodard, the first woman to join the team, and the career of Nathaniel Clifton, the first African American player to sign an NBA contract.
Timeline
The organization was founded in Chicago in 1926.
Lynette Woodard became the first woman to join the team in 1985.
The award was presented during centennial celebrations on October 12, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This award reinforces the official institutional acceptance of exhibition-style basketball as a pillar of the sport's global expansion. It elevates the team's historical standing within the broader basketball ecosystem, paralleling the recognition given to traditional competitive legends.
The award marks a definitive milestone in the organization's centenary, cementing its status as an influential entity that bridged the gap between entertainment and professional basketball. Future exhibition tours will likely feature the commemorative distinction to highlight the team's historic legacy.
The takeaway
The recognition of the Harlem Globetrotters reflects the sport's appreciation for diverse paths to professional growth. Fans can look toward centennial programming to see how the team continues to blend historical showmanship with modern athletic standards.
Further reading
For more information on the history and impact of the sport, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eurohoops.
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