On March 17, 2000 Melvin Adams retired from the Harlem Globetrotters due to a heavy burden to reach youth nationwide.

Melvin Adams has had the privilege of speaking to over 3,000,000 youth at school assemblies, basketball clinics/camps and other youth events. He has a wide variety of speaking experiences including interviews and guest appearances from all forms of media. Melvin's passion for reaching America's youth has provided countless opportunities to speak, perform and share with groups.

Melvin was born in 1971. He grew up in the ghetto of Houston, Texas. He has overcome incredibly negative circumstances in his life to achieve the dream of playing professional basketball. At the age of 13, his father died. With the pressure of being financially strapped and surrounded by hopeless situations, he turned to sports. Hard work and endless practicing kept him out of trouble. At Eisenhower High School, Melvin Adams led the district in assists and steals, and averaged 16 points per game for the Eagles.

Melvin graduated from San Jose Christian College where he was a two-time NCAA III All-American basketball player. He is the all-time scoring, assists and steals leader in the Warrior’s history. After college, Melvin continued to focus on his basketball and was given the opportunity to play basketball professionally. Melvin Adams later joined the Harlem Globetrotters and was named Mr. Globetrotter numerous times. This award is presented yearly to the teammate that most exemplifies the excitement and energy associated with the Harlem Globetrotters.