 He also coached the Washington Generals the perennial Globetrotters punching bag.Worthen, impressed with Meléndez's ability to play and entertain suggested Meléndez try out for the Globetrotters after the two had bumped into each other outside the San Juan apartment building in which they both lived.In 2008, Meléndez became the first Puerto Rico-born basketball player ever to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.