Neal now makes public appearances on behalf of the basketball team, and answered a few questions for NESN.com.
On becoming a Globetrotter:
When I was in college at Johnson Smith University in North Carolina, I received a letter from [owner] Abe Saperstein on red, white and blue stationery inviting me to try out for the Globetrotters. Now, I also was being recruited by the New York Knickerbockers, but at that time (1963), if you wanted to be an NBA free agent, you had to pay room and board. Mr. Saperstein was going to pay my room and board, so I tried out. There were over 150 young men there to try out for five spots, and I made it. I ended up playing 22 seasons.
On his historic run with Harlem Globetrotters:
The Globetrotters gave me an opportunity to play basketball in 97 countries. I played in front of kings, queens, princes and four presidents. I played over 6,000 games. We became celebrities — had our own cartoon. The whole time, I got to do things a lot of other pro players didn’t do. I’d get close to fans — we’d sign autographs for an hour after every single game. I love that. We always bring presents when we show up. We’re like a bunch of Santa Clauses. I love meeting the people and making a difference to them.
On the honorary Globetrotters he played with:
We’d always have famous athletes playing with us. I played with Satchel Paige, Wilt Chamberlain, Ferguson Jenkins (the famous Cubs pitcher), Connie Hawkins, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock … let me see… Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Magic Johnson — he was an honorary Globetrotter. Now Dana Barros!
On Boston:
I love Boston. As soon as I landed here the other day, I filled up on Legal Seafood. I love it! Boston is a city with a tradition like no other. I was rooting for the Celtics when they won the championship a couple years ago, and I’m rooting for them again this season. See, I’m close friends with Danny Ainge. We’ve played in a few celebrity golf tournaments together, so I brought a present for him that I’m going to give him on Saturday.
The Globetrotters play at the TD Garden on March 27 and March 28.
