Harlem Globetrotters launches next week

Sports 21 February 2019 By

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to the UK in April and May 2019, as part of their world tour.

The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivalled in the world of family entertainment. Every game will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequalled fan interaction.

Continuing the traditions of the Globetrotter teams that have preceded them, their combination of athleticism and showmanship as well as skill and slapstick comedy has been entertaining audiences for nearly 100 years.

Founded back in the 1920s, the Globetrotters first came to real worldwide prominence in the 1970s. In the team’s peak years, they had their very own animated TV series that made the likes of Curly, Tex, Geese and Meadowlark Lemon household names.

Thirty-three NBA Championships is all the proof that both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers need to lay claim as the biggest team basketball but in terms of worldwide recognition, few can even come close to the Globetrotters.

Celebrities as diverse as Nelson Mandela and Pope Francis to Usain Bolt and Lionel Messi have in the past been made honorary Globetrotters members.

Today, the team’s latest incarnation play an average of 450 live events in over 120 countries a year – If proof were needed that this is a show you don’t want to miss.

Animal

Never back down from a challenge – This is the motto Chris ‘Animal’ Hyche, one of the Harlem Globetrotters’ newest members, lives by. Growing up, the Globetrotters rookie idolised NBA legend Michael Jordan. From him, he learned that staying focused on a goal and never giving up could lead him to reaching his dream of playing professionally one day.

The 6’5″ Globetrotter was first introduced to basketball at age 9 and he has been playing the sport ever since. Hyche, who is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, attended Provine High School where he had a stellar career earning Dandy Dozen honours and becoming one of the top 150 players in the country.

He attended Talladega College where he averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game during his senior year and later went on to play professionally in Mexico, Morocco and Kosovo.

Animal, who is an avid runner, stays in shape by running three to four miles every day and eating healthy. One would never guess that this Globetrotter is fluent in American Sign Language, as both of his parents are deaf. If he could pick up any skill, Animal says he’d love to learn to cook.

Too Tall Hall

At 5’2″, Too Tall Hall has the distinction of being one of the shortest players in Harlem Globetrotters history. It’s no surprise that the sports figure that has influenced him the most is Earl Boykins, the 5-5 dynamo that fought the odds and made his way through the minor leagues to become a basketball star.

One of Too Tall’s favourite childhood memories was when he got his first basketball at the age of six. ‘I took that ball everywhere I went, including to bed at night,’ he laughs. Growing up, Too Tall played rec ball with basketball superstar Carmelo Anthony, and the two are still friends today.

He loves pizza (pepperoni is his favourite topping), as well as cookies and cream ice cream, but you will often find him snacking on apples.

Too Tall’s mum has always been his role model; he gets his inner strength from her, and he always carries a picture of her in his duffel bag.

When asked whom it would be fun to trade places with for a day, Too Tall says: ‘The player on the other team that is guarding me. I wonder how it feels for someone to guard me.’

The Original Harlem Globetrotters, April – May 2019

  • Wednesday 24 April – Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena, 0844 493 6666
  • Thursday 25 April – Glasgow, The SSE Hydro, 0844 395 4000
  • Friday 26 April – Hull, Bonus Arena, 0844 858 5025
  • Saturday 27 April  – Sheffield, Fly DSA Arena, 0114 256 5656
  • Sunday 28 April – Liverpool, Echo Arena, 0344 8000 400
  • Monday 29 April – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena, 0843 373 3000
  • Tuesday 30 April – London, The O2, 0844 856 0202
  • Thursday 02 May – Birmingham, Arena 0844 33 88 222
  • Friday 03 May – Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena, 02920 224 488
  • Saturday 04 May – Bournemouth, International Centre, 0844 576 3000
  • Sunday 05 May – Brighton Centre, 0844 847 1515
  • Monday 06 May  London, The SSE Arena, Wembley, 0844 815 0815

24hr Ticket Hotline: 0844 249 2222, BookingsDirect.com