Ex-Globetrotter Clifton, 65, Dies of Heart Attack

Nat (Sweetwater) Clifton, a former Harlem Globetrotter and NBA player, died Friday night. He was 65.

Clifton apparently suffered a heart attack and was brought to St. Cabrini Hospital. He died in the emergency room at 6:40 p.m., hospital spokeswoman Nancy McInerny said.

“I got the (nickname) when I was a kid, because all I ever wanted to drink was soda pop,” he once said.

Clifton, a 6-foot-7, 255-pounder who attended Xavier of New Orleans, was purchased by the New York Knicks from the Globetrotters in 1950.

He averaged 10.3 points in seven seasons, helping the Knicks reach the NBA finals three times.