Goose Tatum

Who was Goose Tatum?

Reece "Goose" Tatum was an African American multi-sport athlete.

Born in El Dorado, Arkansas, Tatum played Negro League Baseball before becoming a star basketball player with the Harlem Globetrotters. Goose and Satchel Paige were teammates. Tatum is considered to be the original "clown prince" -- a term first applied to seminal Chicago Crusader/Philadelphia Giant Jackie Bethards in 1933 -- of the Trotters. He wove numerous comic routines into his play, of which many would reach cult status. Some of these routines were based on his stature—at 6'4", it is reported that he had an arm span of about 84 inches and could touch his kneecaps without bending.

He is credited with inventing the hook shot, a shot for which later superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would become famous.

Tatum and Marques Haynes, who were both Harlem Globetrotters superstars, formed a barnstorming basketball team of their own: The Fabulous Harlem Magicians. Dempsey Hovland owner of 20th Century Booking Agency was recruited to book the Harlem Magicians' games. Hovland earlier had managed the barnstorming House of David basketball team. Dempsey Hovland was also the creator and owner of The World Famous Texas Cowgirls Basketball Team.