Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon Dead at 83: Twitter Remembers Basketball Star

A photo posted by Phil Savage ® (@phil__savage) on Dec 28, 2015 at 1:16pm PST

It's being reported that Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon has died at the age of 83. Fox News notes that the "Clown Prince of Basketball" died on Sunday, which was confirmed by Lemon's wife and daughter. After word of his death spread, fans instantly took to Twitter to express their condolences.

As of this reporting, Globetrotter spokesman Brett Meister says the cause of Lemon's death is unknown.

I'm saddened this morning hearing the news that Meadowlark Lemon has passed, he was a true legend in every sense of the word, a class act, did so much for kids and charities up until his passing , when you hear that thunder in the sky its probably him having a pick up game up there I do regret not getting him on my show but when you know someone you think there is always time but that isn't always true One life that he impacted heavily is my brother @leftywilliams42 , his story will move you, #RIP , my prayers go out to his family at this time, god speed and god bless #Repost leftywilliams42 ・・・ going to miss my friend Meadowlark Lemon. Thank u for believing in me. For preaching the gospel while making us all laugh. I'll never forget the morning you called me. Changed my life forever. #RIP #MeadowlarkLemon #ClownPrince A photo posted by Louis Velazquez (@louisvelazquez) on Dec 28, 2015 at 6:58am PST

Lemon has been open about his time on the Globetrotters, which started back in 1955. In 2003, during his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, he spoke of the team and what it meant seeing them as a younger man:

"When they got to the basketball court, they seemed to make that ball talk. I said, 'That's mine. This is for me.' I was receiving a vision. I was receiving a dream in my heart."

After joining the team, Lemon became the talk of the Globetrotters for the next 22 years.

RIP Meadowlark Lemon. One of the greats of the Harlem Globetrotters. I loved watching when I was a kid. Thank you

— Pam (@pamisme) December 28, 2015

Meadowlark Lemon died — micah (@mikenikes50) December 28, 2015

RIP Meadowlark Lemon

— Chula (@TennesseeHoney_) December 28, 2015