Karstens, circa 1951

Robert H. Karstens (March 11, 1915 - December 31, 2004)[1] was a professional basketball player in the United States. Karstens was born in Davenport, Iowa and attended school at Iowa Central Turner Gym and St. Ambrose College. A white man, Karstens was the third non-black player on the Harlem Globetrotters' roster. First was owner Abe Saperstein as a substitute in the team's first year. Second was Rob Nichol a Canadian in 1941.[2] He invented a few routines including the magic circle and the yo yo basketball.[3] He played on the All Black Team, 8 years before the NBA was integrated.[4] He stayed on as a team manager from 1954 to 1994.[2] He died on December 31, 2004.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Robert H Karstens in Social Security Death Index". Fold3. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Bob Karstens, 89; Globetrotters Player, Manager". 7 January 2005 – via LA Times.
  3. ^ "Harlem Globetrotter Legend Bob Karstens". Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  4. ^ "Bob Karstens, Ex-Globetrotter, Dies at 89". The New York Times. 17 January 2005.


Categories