Abe Saperstein's name might not be well-known, but his creation is a household name -- The Harlem Globetrotters.

Few other teams have had a greater international impact than the Globetrotters.

Originally, Saperstein's squad was a serious team. In the 1947-8 season, the Globetrotters amassed a 52-game winning streak, complete with some hard-fought international victories and a victoryover the George Mikan-led Minneapolis Lakers.

Since black players were barred from professional basketball, Saperstein always had his pick of the best black players for his team. When the NBA began to integrate, Saperstein, afraid of losing the top-notch black players, decided the Trotters would become entertainment oriented.

They began entertaining crowds around the world with their hilarious routines, trick shooting and fancy passes.

In 1951, they made their first around-the-world tour, playing 108 games. By 1992, they had played before 100 million fans.

As entertaining as ever in this, their 75th year, the Harlem Globetrotters is reminiscent of another era, when sports were all about fun.

Saperstein was born July 4, 1902. He died in London, England on March 15, 1966.