The Harlem Globetrotters will take the court Wednesday and Thursday at the downtown Springfield arena.
Shane "Scooter" Christensen of the Harlem Globetrotters
Basketball’s famed Harlem Globetrotters will bounce, dribble and spin their way back to Springfield.
The clown princes of basketball come to the MassMutual Center on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 86th consecutive year featuring their world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry and basketball artistry that continues to thrill from the youngest to oldest of fans. Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained popes, kings, queens, and presidents.
“Wherever we go in the world, we’re always the home team. We might not be able to speak their language, but laughter is universal, so we always get our message across,” said Shane “Scooter” Christensen, an advance ambassador for the Harlem Globetrotters.
For its new season, the Harlem Globetrotters have signed 10 new players to join the world’s most famous basketball heroes. The rookie class includes the world’s tallest pro basketball player, the shortest Globetrotter ever, and the team’s first female player in nearly two decades.
“The Globetrotters are excited to welcome a new generation of stars to carry on the storied tradition of the world’s most entertaining basketball team,” said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “This year’s rookie class features some of the most talented and promising players from across the world.”And Christensen agrees.
“We really do have a great rookie class this year. There’s Paul Sturgess, who at 7 feet, 8 inches, we laughingly nicknamed ‘Tiny,’ just as we call Jonte Hall at 5 feet, 2 inches ‘Too Tall,”’ he said.
Fans will also be entertained by popular players like Special K Daly and Slick Willie Shaw.
“Special K is the Meadowlark Lemon of today….the clown prince who will really make you laugh. And Slick Willie is a wizard at spinning the ball,” said Christensen.
Other popular players on the court include Firefly, who Christensen said last year hit 16 four-point shots in just one game, and Hammer Harrison “who can knock that ball so hard that it looks like a hammer coming down on the rim,” said Scooter.
“It’s going to be a great, great show this year,” added the team’s advance ambassador.
This year’s tour is being referred to as the “Championship Tour,” noted Christensen, who said he didn’t want to give too much away about it.
“Once fans come to the game they will understand why,” said the Globetrotter guard.
What he did share, however, is that this year’s tour is set up like a tournament, with the Globetrotters playing two new teams – the International Elite and Global Select – in addition to their usual foes the Washington Generals.
“Whoever wins the tournament will earn the right to play us for the championship,” said Christensen.
And when the buzzer signals the end of the game, it’s still not over for fans.
“After each game, we take time to sign autographs and fans can come down to the court and take a picture with us, shake hands and hug. It doesn’t cost anything and we do it after each game. No pro team does that,” said Scooter about what makes the team so special to fans.