Basketball Hall of Fame

A native Peorian and 1982 graduate of Peoria High School, Curley “Boo” Johnson played for 18 seasons, from 1988-2006, for the internationally renowned Harlem Globetrotters. Performing on all seven continents and 94 different countries, “Boo” inherited the role of dribbling wizard made famous by Marques Haynes and became known as "The World's Fastest Dribbler."

”Boo” attended Spoon River Community College, where he set a school record by making 65.7% of his shots in one season. In 1988, he graduated from Loras College, where he set another record by making 21 consecutive field goals. In 1999, he became the first Loras alum to have his uniform number retired.

Among his highlights with the Globetrotters were playing in front of and meeting Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela.