The Harlem Globetrotters began in 1926 as the Savoy Big Five. Now more than 85 years and 20,000 games later, the team has become one of the most recognizable franchises in sports.
On the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2012 World Tour to Hershey.
The outstanding rookies include Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest professional basketball player at 7’8”; Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5’2”; and Fatima “TNT” MaddoxofTemple University, the team’s first female player since 1993 and ninth woman in team history.
The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including reigning champ Jacob “Hops” Tucker. At 5’10”, Tuckersports a 50-inch vertical leap, and his YouTube videos have garnered more than 4 million views. Tucker joins slam dunk runner-up John “Jet” Williamsof UNC-Asheville and semifinalist Darnell “Spider” Wilks of the University of Cincinnati.
The 2012 rookie class has a total of three seven-footers, including 7’4” Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton, the third tallest player in team history, and 7-foot Anthony“Biggie” McClain. At 7’8”, Sturgess becomes the tallest Globetrotter ever after a career at Mountain State University. Hailing from Loughborough, England, he is the 19th internationally born player in team history.
“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.”
Current Globetrotters stars Special K Daley, Big Easy Lofton, Flight Time Lang, Dizzy Grant, Scooter Christensen, and many others will team up with the world-class rookies for nearly 270 games on the North American portion of the World Tour.
Player rosters in each city will vary and are subject to change.
For more information, please visit www.HarlemGlobetrotters.com.
WINNER: Jodie Gaul Kelcher
