Basketball’s original point forward, Globetrotters great ‘Sweet Lou’ Dunbar, honored in home state of Louisiana
NATCHITOCHES, La. (BVM) — “Five seconds to go. Magic with a hook shot. He scores with two seconds left on the clock!”
That was from the broadcast of the 1987 NBA Finals. The Lakers defeated the Celtics for the NBA championship after NBA Finals MVP Earvin “Magic” Johnson sank a skyhook over Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. In that six-game series, Johnson averaged 26.2 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds. That was one of basketball’s iconic moments. But where would players like Magic Johnson be without Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar?
Dunbar was born in Minden, La. in 1953 and attended Webster High School (which was later consolidated into Minden High School in 1974). With the Wolves he averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds. As a senior, he led Webster to the 2A state championship in 1971 against Franklinton. He scored 49 points in a 75-68 win, the school’s first and only state title. He would follow in the footsteps of Willis Reed and Elvin Hayes as he was named Louisiana Mr. Basketball.
At 6-foot-9, Dunbar furthered his athletic career by attending the University of Houston where he captivated fans on the court. He played for the Cougars men’s basketball team from 1972-1975 often facilitating the offense as one of the country’s first big man ball handlers. In those three seasons he averaged 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4 assists. He led Houston to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1973 where they would fall in the first round to the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).
Following his successful college career, Dunbar was selected in the fourth round of the 1975 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the 59th overall pick. Failing to reach a contract agreement with the team, Dunbar decided the NBA route was not the best choice for him. He would make the trip overseas and play basketball in Switzerland.
It wouldn’t be long before he came back to the United States and attempted another shot at the NBA. Returning to Houston in 1976, Dunbar joined the Rockets summer league team. There, he would catch the eye of a Harlem Globetrotters scout. He was asked to come try out for the team. After taking the road less traveled, his life would never be the same.
Dunbar joined the Globetrotters in the ‘70s and has been with the team for 43 seasons. He has served the roles of both player and coach. Recently, Dunbar has taken over the role of director of player personnel. Here he decides the future generations of Globetrotters talent. His son, Louis Dunbar II (known as “Sweet Lou II”), joined the Globetrotters roster in 2018.
Everyone remembers Magic Johnson playing all five positions for the Lakers, but not many know that he was just a middle schooler watching the 6-foot-9 Dunbar bring the ball up the floor at the University of Houston as one of the game’s first point forwards. Without Sweet Lou influencing Magic, who knows if current NBA stars like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ben Simmons would play the role of floor general given their size.
Along with players like Wilt Chamberlain, Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon, Dunbar is one of eight to have their jersey retired by the Globetrotters. In 2008, Dunbar was inducted into the University of Houston Hall of Honor. Along with these accomplishments, Dunbar is going to add another extraordinary achievement. He will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Dec. 17.
