Eric Lee is a towering figure behind the pulpit. (Photos by Earl Stanback)

Eric Lee has bounced basketballs around the world, all the while knowing that one day he would be doing the Lord’s work.

“Even as a young boy, I always had a strong sense that God loved me and wanted to use me in some way,” said Lee, a former Harlem Globetrotter. “When and how were the only uncertainties.”    

A serious injury required Lee to undergo back surgery during his college career. After that, his days on the court never were quite the same.     

Like thousands of college basketball players, Lee dreamed of playing on the world stage in the NBA. But circumstances prevailed and his dreams changed. After playing short stints with basketball teams overseas, Lee returned home.

“Because of my ability on the basketball court, I was able to attend college at the UNLV, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. After graduating, I had the opportunity to play professional ball overseas for several years. It wasn’t the NBA, but I was grateful.”

Stan Lewis on keyboards says Lee has made a tremendous impact on his life off the basketball court.

Lee, who now lives in Southaven, Miss., was encouraged to try out for the Harlem Globetrotters in 1998 and was chosen to join the team. Their traditional screwball antics and non-stop monkey business on the court made games fun and memorable – not only for thousands of children around the world, but for Lee also.

“I felt it was a great honor to play for the Harlem Globetrotters, especially when you consider the past legends who were also with the team,” he said. “Curly, Meadowlark, Goose, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Cosby – I had a great legacy behind me.”

In the year 2000, Lee decided that his second season with the “Magicians of Basketball” would be his last. He was a veteran basketball pro at only 24 years of age.

“I felt it was time for me to move on,” Lee said. “I knew God was calling me to use my love for basketball to teach valuable life lessons to young people. I preach in the pulpit, but some of my most meaningful work has been done on the basketball court.”

Latavia Luckett, a 19-year-old basketball player at Jackson State University, is one of many young converts who experienced Lee’s “preaching” on the court.

“It was easy to trust Eric and listen to what he had to say because of how he always compared experiences in our lives to the game of basketball,” said Luckett.

Lee encourages young people on and off the basketball court to pursue their dreams wherever they may lead. Joanna Lewis on drums and Micah Lewis on guitar have been inspired through Lee’s ministry.

“I love the game so I thought it was great that he had such great skills on the court, and he was a minister, too. Eric taught me a lot about basketball and about life. Because of him, I understand how important my relationship with God really is.”

Lee is a youth evangelist who travels and preaches at different churches during retreats and conferences throughout the country. But pastoring a church may be on the horizon.

“I will be ready for whatever the Lord wants me to do,” said Lee. “I know I was born to preach and teach the word of God. Exactly where that calling will take me, I don’t know. But I am ready for whatever, as long as the Lord is leading.”

For now, the 32-year-old is just enjoying the ride.

“I know I’m going somewhere and that God has a great work ahead for me,” he said. “But right now, it’s just so fulfilling to minister with kids right where they are. Most love the game of basketball, and it gives me an in-road to talk about Jesus.”

Outreach to middle-aged and senior adults has given Lee another perspective on ministry.

“I have been mainly involved with youth up until the last couple of years,” he said. “But God has also given me great favor with adults as well. I can see my ministry evolving into a more pastoral nature.”

Lee’s colleagues are not only impressed with his youth, but also with his abilities in the pulpit.

“As a pastor, I have come to admire the scholarly approach Lee takes in his preaching,” said Elder Larry Lewis, founder and pastor of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.

“It’s easy to see that he’s not just a basketball player who went into the ministry. He has a natural speaking ability that makes him an articulate minister who just happened to play basketball at a time in his life.”

The Harlem Globetrotters have played about 25,000 games in their 82-year history. They have been called American ambassadors of goodwill, entertaining people all over the world, including American presidents and other international heads of state.

Lee is not the only former Globetrotter who took up the preacher’s mantle. Meadowlark Lemon, the “Clown Prince” of the Globetrotters for 24 seasons, resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he serves as an ordained minister.

For additional information about Lee’s ministry, call  (901) 218-8558.