Tag: Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters want to be considered for NBA expansion

The Globetrotters just want a seat at the big boy table.

As the NBA mulls expanding the league and adding a few more teams, one notable group has thrown their hat in the ring to be considered for a franchise. Not a billionaire or a group of rich people looking to create a team, but the Harlem Globetrotters.

On their social media accounts, the Globetrotters posted that they want to be considered for expansion.

“As an organization whose storied history is already tightly interwoven within that of the NBA, the Harlem Globetrotters are looking for a long overdue seat at the table.” The statement said. “Our players were instrumental in the integration of the league dating back to 1949. We stood proudly as our players were recruited by NBA teams.”

For those who may not know, the Globetrotters are an exhibition team that plays basketball all over the world and their style of play features a healthy amount of comedy and trick shots. Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain was a member of the Globetrotters in 1958 and 1959.

The NBA is interested in expansion, but it’s still early in the process. Seattle has been rumored for a new team along with Las Vegas. Who knows, maybe the Globetrotters can finally become a member of the league they have undoubtedly had an impact on.

WATCH: Cassius Winston dresses up as a Harlem Globetrotter as rookie punishment

As part of a little rookie punishment, Wizards forward Davis Bertans had former Spartan Cassius Winston dress up as a Harlem Globetrotter.

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At the start of 2020, Cassius Winston was leading Michigan State Basketball to a Big Ten Championship as the veteran leader of the team. At the end of 2020, he’s now a rookie in the NBA, back at square one as he learns the NBA game with the Washington Wizards.

One of the fun traditions in the NBA involves some lighthearted hazing of the incoming rookies. Cassius Winston apparently forgot to do some of his duties as a rookie on Thursday, so Wizards big man Davis Bertans hilariously had him dress up as a Harlem Globetrotter.

Watch Cassius do his best Globetrotter impression below:

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Report: Harlem Globetrotters open to hearing Redskins offers for ‘Washington Generals’ name

The Washington Generals, a time-old foe of the Harlem Globetrotters, is reportedly open to selling name to Redskins if necessary.

If the Washington Redskins wish to rebrand themselves as the Washington Generals, the Harlem Globetrotters will reportedly listen to offers.

According to Darren Rovell, the Globetrotters, who owns the trademark for the Generals — their age-old foe who is continually thwarted by basketball trick shots — are willing to entertain offers, should they exist. While it seems unlikely that the Redskins would rebrand as a team that’s literal job is to lose every game they play, at least the opportunity is there.

The Redskins may not end up changing their name, though it seems like a likely outcome at this point in time. If they are to eventually rebrand, a number of potential outcomes have risen, with names such as the Redtails, Redhawks, Warriors, Sentinels leading the way.

Now you can add Generals to that list if anyone was so inclined.

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Texans DT Ross Blacklock picked football as a kid because he thought basketball was ‘too soft’

Newly drafted Houston Texans DT Ross Blacklock thought basketball was “too soft” a sport growing up, even though his dad was a Harlem Globetrotter.

Jimmy Blacklock played for the Harlem Globetrotters and later became a coach for the famous exhibition basketball team.

“As some people know he was the first African-American basketball player at the University of Texas,” Houston Texans 2020 NFL Draft second-round pick Ross Blacklock said at the NFL combine. “I just try to fill those shoes for him, from our family.”

For Ross, filling those shoes meant playing football, the sport he loved the most among the five he grew up playing as a child.

“I think basketball is just too soft for me,” Blacklock said. “Too soft.”

Blacklock’s father knew how much football meant to his son, so he never pushed him into the one that was providing for his family.

“He just never really pushed me to be a basketball player,” said Blacklock. “He told me if I want to do it, then I’ll do it. But he never pushed me to be a basketball player. He knew football was where I wanted to be.”

Blacklock saw scores of Globetrotters games growing up, including up to 15 in other states.

“I wish he could see what I’m going through, but it’s more important for him to do what he’s doing,” said Blacklock. “He’s my Pops, so I love him to death.”

Jimmy will now have a chance to see his son play for the hometown Texans every Sunday in the fall. It isn’t a bad circle to complete for the Missouri City Elkins product.