Mickey Greenberg has been playing basketball longer than many of us have been alive.

Still active on the courts at 81, he isn’t slowing down any time soon.

A standout in college, Mickey’s playing career didn’t go the way he originally planned, but the road it led him down is one he’ll never forget.

In 1968, a teammate convinced him to try out for the Washington Generals, the longtime rivals of the famous Harlem Globetrotters.

“When you get old, you reminisce,” said Greenberg.

He would make the team, after impressing some of Globetrotters, and just like that, he was on the road, traveling to cities all across the U.S.

"It was life changing for me. I had never flown in a plane before, and I think we flew 17 times. We were on the bus every night, different games," said Greenberg.

Now 55 years later, the more things have changed, the more they've stayed the same. The only difference now is Mickey’s able to win.

"If we beat them, we would be fired. So that was pretty clear,” said Greenberg.

Arenas all over the country may have been replaced with his backyard court, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

So you might ask, how does this 81-year-old continue to play?

"Naps. Naps are good. Hot baths. Did I mention naps?" said Greenberg.

In the meantime, Mickey plans to continue hitting the hardwood, while reliving those glory days. He regularly plays pick up games on Sundays, and even helps out the next generation.

The Washington Generals were founded in 1952 and continue to be the longterm opponents of the Globetrotters to this day.