Dr. John Lee Kline Jr.

Dr. John Lee Kline Jr.
Wayne State University Basketball Player, Track Athlete (1950 - 1953)
Harlem Globetrotters Player (1953 – 1959)

Dr. John Kline was born in Detroit, Michigan, playing basketball at Northeastern High School. Known for his jumping ability, he earned the nickname “Jumpin’ Johnny” and went on to play basketball at Wayne State University, where he also competed in Track and Field setting a school record in the triple jump and competing in the 1952 Olympic Trials. After one season at Wayne State where he earned All-American honors, he went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters from 1953 to 1959, helping the Globetrotters win the “World Series of Basketball” against the College All-Americans and in 1959 achieved their first undefeated season with 441 wins. After leaving the Globetrotters, Dr. Kline helped found the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation to help recognize and establish retirement plans for the game’s early players who never got a chance to play in the NBA. Dr. John Kline was inducted into the African-American Hall of Fame, Wayne State’s Sports Hall of Fame, and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He passed away on July 26, 2018 at 86 years of age.