Expect the world famous Harlem Globetrotters to showcase top-notch, world-class basketball action to their Filipino fans for the first time after 15 years.
The basketball entertainment group will grace the hardwood on November 12 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, and two of those who will be stepping foot on the Big Dome are Darnell “Speedy” Artis and Kay “Sunshine” West.
“Not only are we a team consisting of some high-level basketball players,” Artis told ABS-CBN News in his visit to the compound on Monday.
“You know, we have players who were from NCAA Division 1, Conference Player of the Year, from Division 2, National Player of the Year, and champions, but we’re also high-level entertainers,” added Artis, who went and played for Gwynedd Mercy University in Pennsylvania during his collegiate career.
Over there, Artis scored over 1,300 career points, tallied a school record of 400 assists, won a conference championship, and also received a number of First-Team All-Conference and Tournament MVP plums.
“We bring elite basketball and entertainment together, and travel all around the world to not only help people fall in love with the sport of basketball, but also help people create memories with each other, with their families that will last forever,” continued the 5-foot-7 Artis, who also played professionally in Brazil before being a nine-year veteran of the Globetrotters.
Together with Darnell is their rookie Sunshine West, also a former standout during her collegiate career while playing for Coastal Carolina and Georgetown’s Women’s basketball teams.
“Actually, after I graduated from Georgetown, I was the assistant director of basketball operations. After being on the staff, I decided that I still wanted to keep playing,” said the 2017-18 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List member.
“I kind of had that itch to play basketball again, so I started to train to play professionally overseas, and now, I’m with the team in the Philippines, itching to play and get in front of the fans again,” added the 5-foot-5 Globetrotters rookie.
The pair had the chance to show glimpses of what they bring to the table on Sunday at halftime of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals Game 4 match between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the TNT Tropang GIGA.
Not only were the fans in awe of Artis and West — the players were also delighted by the reception of the 16,783 fans last night in Araneta to their craft.
“It was just really cool to see how passionate they were about the game,” said Artis. “To see the interaction between one team with the other set of fans, and the other set of fans with the other team, I thought it was really cool. Their reaction to us when we were on the court was special. It made me feel like we’re sparking that interest and that enthusiasm that will surround the Harlem Globetrotters to hopefully fill the arena up on November 12th as well.”
And now that they have witnessed Philippine basketball action, will they invite the likes of Justin Brownlee, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and other stars from the Philippines to join them in their show?
“Last night after the game, I talked to Brownlee, so he’s definitely going to be there. He said he’s going to come out and watch the game,” said Artis.
“And you never know, we might pull somebody out onto the court with us. That’s the beauty of the Harlem Globetrotters — It all can happen just like that. No matter who’s in the crowd or what might be happening, you never know, you might end up on the floor,” he added.
