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Larry Rivers (basketball)

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Larry "Gator" Rivers
Rivers in 1973
Personal information
Born(1949-05-06)May 6, 1949
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
DiedApril 29, 2023(2023-04-29) (aged 73)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High schoolBeach (Savannah, Georgia)
CollegeMoberly Junior College
Missouri Western State University
PositionGuard
Career history
1973–1986Harlem Globetrotters

Larry Darnell Rivers (May 6, 1949 – April 29, 2023), also known as Gator Rivers, was an American basketball player, coach, business owner, and civil servant. He performed as a dribbler for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1973 to 1986, eventually taking over the main dribbler role from Curly Neal. As player-coach during his last year with the Globetrotters, he led the team's nationwide search for their first female player.

After stints with two other exhibition basketball teams, Rivers moved back to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he had attended college, and started the Gatorball Academy, teaching basketball skills to children. In 2008, he moved to his native Savannah, Georgia, where he had led the Beach High School basketball team to three state titles. In 2020, he was elected to the Chatham County Commission in Chatham County, Georgia and served in the District 2 seat from 2021 until his death.

Early life

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Rivers was born in Savannah, Georgia, on May 6, 1949, when his mother was 13 years old.[1][2] He first saw The Harlem Globetrotters film at the age of seven[3] and was inspired by the dribbling technique of Marques Haynes.[4] The nickname "Gator" originated while playing pool tag as a child because he was unable to swim as well as his friends.[2]

At the age of 14, Rivers quit school to manage a pool hall, but was persuaded by basketball coach Russell Ellington to re-enroll at Alfred E. Beach High School and live with him for the rest of his high school career.[1][5]

Education and early basketball career

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In 1967, during his sophomore year at Beach High School, Rivers was part of the first all-black team to win a Georgia High School Association championship in any sport; it was the GHSA's first season of desegregation.[6][7][8] Playing under Ellington, Rivers went on to lead the Beach High School basketball team to three state titles.[9][10] In his senior year, he averaged 17 points and 9 assists per game.[9] He also developed a reputation for his dribbling skills, leading to fans calling for "Gator Rivers show time" late in their games once Beach High School had established a sizable lead against their opponents.[4] He graduated in 1969, having gained recognition as an all-city, all-region, and all-state athlete.[6]

Rivers became a small college all-American at Moberly Junior College and went on to play as a guard at Missouri Western State University, then known as Missouri Western State College.[11] During the 1971–1972 season, he averaged 14.6 points per game.[12] In his final season, he averaged 16.4 points per game, and set school records for the most points (429) and most assists (181) in a single season.[13][12] He was selected as an all-conference guard, and received an all-American honorable mention.[13]

In 1973, the St. Joseph Gazette called Rivers "the most talented ballhandler to ever wear a Missouri Western uniform".[3] Rivers later said that he chose the school, despite the snow and ice, in part because the Midwest promoter for the Harlem Globetrotters lived in St. Joseph, Missouri.[4][13]

Exhibition basketball career

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Harlem Globetrotters

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In March 1973, Rivers impressed the Harlem Globetrotters during a tryout in Topeka, Kansas.[14][3] Both "Clown Prince" Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal praised his natural talent,[14] while Tex Harrison later recalled that Rivers "was doing things it takes other players four or five years to be accomplished at."[4] Rivers frequently told the story of how Marcus Haynes had tested his dribbling skills in a folding-chair closet, and how he had dribbled around chairs and under tables to demonstrate his ability to control the ball around obstacles.[13][11][4] At 6 ft (1.83 m) in height, Rivers was the shortest member of the Globetrotters when he joined.[14] He toured with Globetrotters from 1973 to 1977 and took a two-year hiatus to assist with coaching and recruiting at Missouri Western, rejoining the Globetrotters in 1979.[13]

For many years, Rivers shared routines with Curly Neal, until Neal was sidelined due to injury and Rivers took over in the main dribbler role in 1982 at the age of 32.[4][15] That year, the Harlem Globetrotters became the first sports team to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[16] Rivers partnered with a Burger King franchise to create the "Burger King / Gator Rivers Basketball Scholarship" at Missouri Western.[12] In 1984, he appeared with four other Globetrotters in an episode of The Love Boat.[17]

In 1985, Rivers started his first year as a player-coach with the Globetrotters,[18] and worked with his former coach Russell Ellington.[11] Rivers led tryouts during the Globetrotters' nationwide search for one or two female players to perform alongside the men for the first time in their 60-year history.[18][19] However, in 1986, Rivers left the Globetrotters, citing his disillusionment with their direction under new management.[20] One of his frustrations was that while he had been searching for a highly skilled female player who could play with the male players and be respected, Globetrotter management instead went with a player they had in mind from the start, who had publicly stated that she would not have been able to "make it" in the NBA.[20]

Shooting Stars

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In February 1986, Rivers joined the Shooting Stars, a new exhibition basketball team formed by Meadowlark Lemon.[20] The team also featured other former Globetrotters such as Curly Neal, Jerry "Lovebug" Venable, and former NBA star Pete Maravich.[21][22] Rivers and the team were invited to the White House, where they announced the start of their 1986 Commitment With a Purpose Tour and their support of First Lady Nancy Reagan's campaign encouraging children to "Just Say No" to drugs.[22][23]

Basketball Magic

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By January 1987, Rivers had signed with a new team called Basketball Magic, along with six other former Harlem Globetrotters, Louis "Sweet Lou" Dunbar, Jimmy Blacklock, Ovie Dotson, Osborne Lockhart, Billy Ray Hobbley, and Robert "Baby Face" Page.[24] The team had formed after several players from the 1985–1986 Harlem Globetrotters starting lineup were unable to agree on a new contract with management.[24]

Coaching and other ventures

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Gatorball Academy

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After retiring from touring, Rivers eventually returned to St. Joseph, Missouri,[2] and lived for a few years in King City.[25][26] In 1990, he founded Gatorball Academy, where he taught basketball rules and skills to children between the ages of 9 and 14.[15][2] He also volunteered as a youth basketball coach, and was a popular speaker at local elementary schools.[2] He would often invite children to try to steal the ball from him while he was dribbling, but maintained that they never succeeded.[1]

High school coaching

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In the early 1990s, Rivers coached basketball at Bishop LeBlond High School with a 110–25 record over five seasons, and led the team to the Missouri Class 2A final four in the 1993–1994 season.[26] In 1995, he became head coach at Troy High School across the Missouri River in Kansas where his stepdaughter played basketball.[26]

The Paris Club

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In March 1996, Rivers became owner and manager of the Paris Club, a nightclub on Felix Street in downtown St. Joseph featuring both DJ and live music, which he ran with his then-wife Rita.[27][15] He told the St. Joseph News-Press that year that he envisioned developing an atmosphere similar to The Apollo In Harlem.[27] By 1999, the club had moved from its original location and changed its name.[28]

Community involvement and political career

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In 1999, Rivers was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame,[6] and moved back to Savannah, Georgia, permanently in 2008.[29] He continued to run Gatorball Academy training sessions to teach basketball skills to young players[30] and led a campaign to rebuild and improve outdoor basketball courts in neighborhoods across Savannah, such as the one at Crawford Court.[31] He also volunteered with the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club.[32]

In 2020, Rivers ran as a Republican for Chatham County Commission District 2 in Georgia and was declared the technical winner after Democratic candidate Tony Riley was disqualified due to a past felony conviction.[33] During campaigning, Rivers claimed that he was running as a Republican to avoid having to run in the Democratic primary.[33] He expressed interest in bringing a professional basketball team, as well as soccer and hockey teams, to Savannah to help boost the local economy.[34] According to Chatham County Commission chairman Chester A. Ellis, "As a Commissioner, his passion was ensuring that residents have food security and improving quality of life."[32]

Death and legacy

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Rivers died of cancer on April 29, 2023, at the age of 73.[6] His memorial service at St. Paul CME Church in Savannah was attended by hundreds who paid tribute to his dedication to their city, his advocacy of community basketball courts, and his mission to help young people succeed.[35]

On May 12, the Chatham County Commission appointed his wife Jean Brown Rivers to fill his seat until a special election could be held on September 19.[36][37] Malinda Hodge, a former member of the County Board of Elections, was elected to finish his term in a runoff election on October 17.[38]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Rosenwald, Michael S. (May 4, 2023). "Larry 'Gator' Rivers, Globetrotter who dribbled into history, dies at 73". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Globetrotter visits county schools". Savannah Reporter and Andrew County Democrat. Savannah, Missouri. May 17, 1990. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Trotters invite Rivers to camp". St. Joseph Gazette. St. Joseph, Missouri. March 15, 1973. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Slater, Chuck (February 14, 1982). "Dribbling is a way of life for 'Gator'". Daily News. New York, New York. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "In memory of Larry "Gator" Rivers, class of 1973". Missouri Western State University Athletics Department. May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Peebles, Will (April 29, 2023). "Former Harlem Globetrotter Larry "Gator" Rivers passed away". Savannah Morning News. Associated Press. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Mahone, Derrick (March 9, 2007). "'Time of discovery' for Beach and state". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved May 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Mahone, Derrick (December 21, 2004). "State's backcourts don't take backseat". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ProQuest 337136239. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ a b "Globetrotters will perform". The Spanish Fork Press. January 1, 1975. Retrieved April 30, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Roberts, Charlie (March 2, 1968). "'Tremendous' Is Description As Beach Boys Bounce On". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b c "Basketball legend Rivers, longtime Globetrotter, dies at 73". ABC News. April 30, 2023. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Finley earns new scholarship". St. Joseph News-Press. August 12, 1982. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b c d e Hess, Dan (February 7, 1986). "Rivers: 'Trotters no longer the same (Continued from Page 1B)". St. Joseph News-Press. p. 2B. Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b c "Larry Rivers with Trotters Jan. 11 in KC". St. Joseph Gazette. St. Joseph, Missouri. December 11, 1973. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b c Letran, Vivian (January 3, 1997). "The Greatest Ballhandlers in the World". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Globetrotters Receive Star". The Daily Times. Salisbury, Maryland. Associated Press. January 24, 1982. Retrieved May 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Jayes, Paul (December 29, 1983). "Life with the Trots is life on the run". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b Jacobs, Barry (July 16, 1985). "Globetrotters looking for a 'Clown Princess'". The Shreveport Journal. The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Globetrotters are looking for a few good women". The Asheville Times. Knight-Ridder News Service. July 17, 1985. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c Hess, Dan (February 7, 1986). "Rivers: 'Trotters no longer same". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Davis, Eric (February 15, 1986). "Lemon, the Pistol on team". El Paso Herald-Post. Retrieved May 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b "A Kiss for Curly". The Akron Beacon Journal. Associated Press. March 1, 1986. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  23. ^ Pratt, Andrew (March 1, 1986). "Meadowlark Lemon trots into town". Abilene Reporter-News. Retrieved May 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "7 Former Globetrotters Form 'Basketball Magic'". St. Louis Dispatch. United Press International. January 11, 1987. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Cross-burning probe continues at King City". St. Joseph News-Press. September 15, 1992. Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ a b c Williams, Jay (February 9, 1996). "Later, Gator". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b LeTran, Vivian (October 11, 1996). "Felix St. Frolic: Trio of music clubs liven up Downtown Joetown". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ White, Marshall (April 14, 1999). "2 sued for showing TV fight". St. Joseph News-Press. Retrieved May 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Jaudon, Travis (April 8, 2018). "Film sheds light on historical significance of Harlem Globetrotters". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Curl, Eric (August 14, 2014). "Tompkins Community Center improvements coming". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  31. ^ Jaudon, Travis (October 5, 2016). "Larry 'Gator' Rivers aims to revive Savannah playground basketball". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Peebles, Will (May 4, 2023). "Harlem Globetrotter, Chatham Commissioner Gator Rivers dead at 73 after battle with cancer". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Robertson, Nick (November 4, 2020). "Election results: 'Gator' Rivers technically wins Chatham District 2, but Tony Riley submits appeal Tuesday". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  34. ^ Robertson, Nick (October 9, 2020). "Chatham Commission District 2 candidates talk Savannah gentrification, economic recovery". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Jones, Kyra (May 11, 2023). "Hundreds gather to celebrate Larry 'Gator' Rivers' life, legacy". WSAV.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  36. ^ Peebles, Will (May 12, 2023). "Chatham Commission fills post left vacant by Commissioner Rivers' death. Here's who they chose". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Fluke, Parker (May 23, 2023). "Wife of Larry "Gator" Rivers sworn in as Chatham County District 2 Commissioner". Fox 28 Savannah. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  38. ^ Lasseter, Evan (October 17, 2023). "Malinda Hodge takes Chatham County District 2 seat in Tuesday's runoff". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
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