GARY, Ind. -- Opal "Shagg" Courtney, a former Harlem Globetrotters player credited with creating one of the team's most entertaining moves, has died. He was 89.

Courtney, who died Dec. 26, played three seasons with the Globetrotters. He is credited with creating the move of spinning the ball on the index finger, then rolling the ball across the shoulders and into his arms behind his back.

Courtney began traveling with the Globetrotters in 1934. He left the team to earn more money to support his growing family. He and his wife of 69 years, Shellie Courtney, eventually had seven children.

After leaving the Globetrotters, Courtney took a job as a crane operator at U.S. Steel in Gary, Ind., where he stayed until he retired.

"It was glory, but there wasn't any money," Shellie Courtney told the Post-Tribune of Merrillville. "It was time to raise a family and he took a job in the mill. The mill paid good."

Courtney starred in football, track and basketball at Gary Roosevelt High School from 1928-32.

Visitation was set for noon-8 p.m. ET Sunday at Guy and Allen Funeral Home in Gary. Funeral services were scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Christ Baptist Church.