The Generals of Washington Trivia Quiz

Answer: Philadelphia SPHAs

Klotz was a member of the Philadelphia SPHAs (South Philadelphia Hebrew Association) for four seasons in the American Basketball League (1942-1943, 1945-1948), where they won the 1942-43 title. With the SPHAs, he had 516 career points in the regular season and 65 career points in the playoffs.

Klotz was also a member of the 1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (a distinct team from the modern Washington Wizards). The team won the 1947-48 Basketball Association of America title (a predecessor of the National Basketball Association). This makes Klotz, at five feet, seven inches, one of the shortest players to ever have been of a BAA/NBA championship team.

Answer: General Dwight D. Eisenhower

The year of 1952 may be the key clue. The Generals were named after popular World War II commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower (as confirmed via Wikipedia and the team's website), who was elected to his first of two terms as President in 1952. Red Klotz, who founded the team, was also a veteran of World War II, though he served stateside. I have not been able to find a specific reason why the Generals, a barnstorming team, chose Washington as their official "hometown", though I suspect it may have been that reversing the words would almost be the phrase "General Washington".

Answer: False

The typical Harlem Globetrotter may have been arguably somewhat more skilled than the typical Washington General, but both teams were fundamentally solid. Like the Globetrotters, the Generals were made up of many players from the college ranks (albeit often Divisions II and III). The big difference was the the role each team played in the exhibition games. The Globetrotters provided the trick plays and the humor. The Generals played the role of the straight man, reacting to the Globetrotters' actions. If the Generals had been no-talent scrubs, what the Globetrotters did would not have seemed as impressive or entertaining.

When the Generals were able to play in straight basketball games, they did have success, defeating at different times the National Team of Taiwan and a team fielded by the Red Army, as well as various college teams. "Red" Klotz always claimed that the Generals legitimately tried to win every game that they played against the Globetrotters.

Answer: They lost in the first round

The Basketball Tournament was sponsored by ESPN and had 64 teams competing that year. The Washington Generals lost in the opening round to the Matadors in a close one, 76-72, on July 08. The Generals were a Number 9 seed in the South Division of the tournament.

Answer: Chicago Packers

The names Boston Shamrocks and Atlantic City Seagulls were both used by the Washington Generals during the 1971-1972 season. The Generals were known as the New York Nationals from 1995 to 2006. Additional "alternate names" the Generals have used have included the Baltimore Rockets, New Jersey Reds, and International Elite.

The Chicago Packers were a 1961 expansion team in the National Basketball League. Like the Generals, the Packers were unsuccessful in their first season, going 18-62 for fifth place in the Western Division. Multiple relocations and name changes later, the Packers would be known as the Washington Wizards.

Answer: Green and Yellow

The green and yellow of the Washington Generals uniforms provides a nice contrast with the red, white, and blue of the Harlem Globetrotters' uniforms. The uniforms of the Generals, like many basketball teams, consists of a tank top and shorts. Green is the primary color with yellow stripes on each side.

At different times the word "Washington" and the word "Generals" has been emphasized in the team name on the uniform.

Answer: Santa Claus

While the Washington Generals lost over 10,000 games during the 20th century, how many they won is a matter of debate with one win (1971), three wins (according to the Generals' website with additional wins in 1954 and 1958) and six wins all as possibilities.

The one undisputed win took place on January 5, 1971 in Martin, TN. Playing as the New Jersey Reds, the Generals took a 12-point lead late into the fourth quarter. The Globetrotters realized that they had to play catch up and switched to straight basketball in order to rally back. The rally fell short due to a basket made by Red Klotz himself with about 10 seconds left and Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon missing the last shot of the game. With a 100-99 win, Klotz said of the fanbase, "They looked at us like we killed Santa Claus."

Answer: Frederick "Curly" Neal

Derrick Grant (Carlos English ) played for the Generals during the 2005-2006 season while they were the New York Nationals. He was able to then successfully audition for the Globetrotters and join the team in 2010. Jonte "Too Tall" Hall, who stands at five feet, two inches, also played for the Generals before joining the Globetrotters in 2011. Paul Sturgis, who stands seven feet, seven inches, played for the Globetrotters from 2011 to 2013, before joining the Generals in a villainous role as "Cager".

"Curly" Neal was one of the best known of the Globetrotters, playing with the team from 1963 to 1985. He never played for the Washington Generals.

Answer: Wildwood, NJ

The game took place on August 01, 2015 at Wildwood Convention Center. According to archival information, ticket prices for the game ranged from $21 to $75. In addition to the game itself, admission included a skills clinic and interactive event conducted by the Globetrotters. Like thousands of other games, the Generals also lost this one.

It is said that the team folded when the Harlem Globetrotters were no longer interested in splitting the gate receipts with the Washington Generals.

Answer: Liam Hemsworth

Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham), a successful recording artist, was selected in the 2019 draft. Terrell Owens, Hall of Fame wide receiver from the National Football League, was selected in the 2018 draft. Conor McGregor, a successful mixed martial arts competitor, was selected in the 2017 draft. Liam Hemsworth, an actor known for appearing in the "Hunger Games" films, was not selected in any of the drafts.

The rights to the Washington Generals franchise were purchased in 2017 from the Klotz family by Herschend Family Entertainment, the same team that owns the Harlem Globetrotters.