The Harlem Globetrotters have played an important role in the rich history of basketball. And although New York is a long way from Nashville, there is a connection between Music City and the Globetrotters: most notably, Tennessee State University’s Josh Grider. Born in Atchison, Kansas, in 1927, Grider accepted a scholarship to Tennessee A&I in 1945 and played as a Tiger during an undefeated 24-0 season his senior year. He then received an offer to play with the Harlem Globetrotters and joined former TSU teammates Clarence Wilson and Boyd Buie, the one-armed sensation. In his first and second seasons with the Globetrotters, Grider went to Europe and played before tremendous crowds. They played in the Olympia Stadium in Berlin with 75,000 attending. In his second season, the team played in the World Series of Basketball against the College All-Americans, and Grider was elected the MVP. He had another great season in 1952-1953, being runner-up to Marcus Haynes for MVP in the World Series. In 1957 Grider left the Globetrotters to join Haynes and Goose Tatum on the team they had jointly formed, called the Harlem Magicians. He played with the Magicians for thirteen years before returning to Nashville in 1971, where he remained active working with children and playing benefit games for worthy causes. Josh Grider had a proud career and an important role in the history of basketball, and he will forever hold a special place in the annals of TSU sports.
