Stretch Middleton

Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 1984. He started his basketball journey during his junior year at Crenshaw High School. Following high school, Middleton attended South Kent School for a postgraduate year. His collegiate career included two years at Central Connecticut State University and two years at Northwood University. While at Northwood, Middleton contributed to the team reaching the final eight teams of the NAIA National Tournament in 2008. After college, Middleton played for the Rochester and St. Joseph teams in the Premier Basketball League and also gained experience playing in China.

Middleton joined the Harlem Globetrotters for the 2011-2012 season, a tenure that continued through the 2014-2015 season. His height, 7 feet 4 inches, made him the third tallest player in the team’s history. During his time with the Globetrotters, Middleton participated in various community initiatives and clinics, including partnerships with organizations like 24 Hour Fitness to teach basketball skills and life lessons such as the C.H.E.E.R. (Cooperation, Healthy Mind & Body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility) program. These clinics focused on engaging youth in sports while promoting positive character traits. Middleton also holds a unique achievement of having broken a backboard during a game in Ecuador in 2012, an incident shared with teammate Jet Williams.

Currently residing in San Antonio, Middleton remains involved in personal business ventures, including a partnership with the Australian company SafeLace. His career highlights include consistent involvement in basketball from his early days in high school through professional play with the Harlem Globetrotters, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the sport and its role in community engagement. His public appearances with the Globetrotters have emphasized entertainment alongside educational outreach, leaving an impact on young audiences across various communities.