Check the ballhandling montage at the 7:58 mark
Our frequent posts on Team Flight Brothers brought my mind back to the flavor and showmanship of the Harlem Globetrotters. For 82 years the organization has entertained millions of fans and still remains an event around the world. See their worldwide schedule at www.harlemglobetrotters.com . The trendsetting Globetrotters played the first outdoor professional game in Berlin on August 22, 1951 and one of their current members held the world dunk record at 12 feet until 2006.
From the Globetrotters Website:
MARCH 30, 2001:
Michael “Wild Thing” Wilson was not alone in his attempt to break the 12-foot barrier during Final Four Weekend, as three of the nation’s top college seniors were invited to challenge the record with Wilson during halftime of the NABC All-Star Game at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Wilson narrowly misses dunking on a basket set at 12 feet, one inch. Each player was given three attempts at each height before being eliminated. Terry Black of Baylor University, Tarvis Williams of Hampton College, and David Walker from the University of Alabama-Birmingham all dunked successfully at 10 feet, six inches. Black dunked at 11 feet, but was eliminated when the basket was raised to 11 feet, six inches. Williams successfully dunked at 11 feet, six inches on his third attempt, but could go no higher. The Globetrotters’ Wilson dunked on his first attempt at each height before failing to make the 12 foot, one inch mark.
City Slam champion Wayne “The artist formerly known as Above and Beyond” Clark (Current name “B-70″) broke the record with 12-foot 1-inch dunk in 2006 and then broke it again in 2007. See: Wayne Clark’s interview and photos of world record dunk. All streetball and dunk crews should give respect to the legacy of creativity started by the Harlem Globetrotters.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Dan the Man says:
Sean, THEY PAVED THE WAY !
Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton slammin’ at 7:45 mark and Marques Haynes(World’s Greatest Dribbler and Hall of Famer) at 8:22 mark. http://www.doubledogsports.com/sweetwater.aspx
http://www.doubledogsports.com/about.aspx
http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/bhof-marques-haynes.html
January 4th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
shout out to my man kenny rodriguez who is down with the trotters right now as i type in puerto rico. they also signed their first island born puerto rican orlando melendez just this year. p’alante!
January 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Sean Couch says:
The Globetrotters maintain their flavor in good and bad times. As I’ve gotten older I have come to appreciate the
longevity of the organization and how original they are and still remain.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Sean Couch says:
Also I wanted to acknowledge Eric Weaver, a ref who has been part of the playground in the city for many years. He’s on tour with the Globetrotters right now.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Derrick Canada says:
You know I’ve got to shout out some of my old ‘Trotter brethen from the area like Arnold “A-Train” Bernard, Ernest Aughburns, “Master” Rob Hockett and Orlando Antigua. Also, don’t sleep on “Geese” Ausbie. One of the greatest showmen ever and as a senior finished third in the nation in scoring behind, I believe, Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor. Globetrotters definitely opened the doors to the NBA that we know today.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Sean Couch says:
No doubt DC, the importance of the Globetrotters to every Black American ballplayer is something we all should appreciate. A-Train, Ernest, Master Rob and Orlando have deep roots in NY playground ball. Keep representin’ DC, I remember your playground and pro resume.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:37 am
ali says:
when the nba was exclusionary, the globetrotters had the best talent of any team in the world. jumpin’ jackie jackson told me some great stories about his days as a globetrotter and getting a chance to see every crevice of the world.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Sean Couch says:
Jackie was featured him in Bounce Edition #13 and the writer of the piece did his thing…ali danois
One thing Jackie said he could do is put his elbows on the rim from a standing vertical jump. The Globetrotters to this day always have outstanding athletes and skilled fundamentalist.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
axman says:
I had the pleasure of playin’ ball w/ A-train back in the day. He was breakin ankles left and right. Let his game do his talking for him. I haven’t seen a quicker cross-over on the run. Try not to get caught watching instead of playing.