This is Blakes’ fourth season with the Globetrotters. After graduating from the University of Wyoming in 2000, Blakes played with the CBA (the NBA development league) and in Europe. But of everything, Blakes said, “The Globetrotters has been the best basketball experience, and the best life experience,” and that shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Known for their astounding theatrics and superhuman athletic abilities, their record 12-foot dunk, their catchy anthem “Sweet Georgia Brown” and as one of Wilt Chamberlin’s stops in his illustrious career, “…the Globetrotters also have a rich history. “When you put on a Globetrotters uniform you’re recognized everywhere. You are a part of American history,” Blakes proudly stated.

Founded in 1926 by 24-year old Abe Saperstein under the name “Savoy Big Five,” the team played their first game in January 1927 with the words “New York” on the front of their jerseys. Eventually the team name evolved into the “Harlem Globetrotters,” and ~ despite the fact that the team did not play in Harlem until 1968 ~ the name communicated the idea of an all-black team traveling the world.

It was In 1939 that the Globetrotters started to stray from competitive basketball. During a game where they Globetrotters were beating a regular-season opponent 112-5, the Globetrotters decided to entertain themselves and the crowd with their now classic antics. Saperstein approved what his players were doing, but only if the team had a secure lead. And the rest is history.

Blakes does not think the current Globetrotters are overlooked because of their entertaining antics. “We are just as competitive, as we are entertaining,” he said. In fact, Globetrotter practices are mostly competitive but of course mix in rehearsal of plays for the entertainment section of the show. But, because the Globetrotters are known for their insanely skillful ball handling, that trademark gets heavy focus during practices so that each player is perfect.

“The coaching staff helps with all the other moves and the plays, and we have a choreographer for the dance moves, but ball handling is all up to you,” said Blakes. He added that all the players are given basketballs to take to their rooms to practice their ball handling skills.

The emphasis on ball handling was not the hardest transition from competitive basketball player to Globetrotter; Blakes said it was learning when to turn his Globetrotter character on and off. “Once you leave your house or your room, you have to turn it on. You have to be energetic and enthusiastic no matter what your situation is or how bad your day is,” he said. “And then it’s difficult to know when to be serious and focus,” he added.

Off the court, the Globetrotters organization is serious about their role in the community. Dubbed the “Ambassadors of Goodwill” by President Gerald Ford, the Globetrotters make certain to spend a chunk of their time on community service. Since Mannie Jackson took over the team in 1993, Blakes reported they’ve donated over $11 million to the community, including $1 million to Habitat for Humanity for Hurricane Katrina victims. Blakes also said that the team recently spent eight hours helping Habitat build one of the first houses for Katrina victims.

But the Globetrotters’ main project in the community is the CHEER Challenge. “It stands for Cooperation, Healthy mind and body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility,” explained Blakes. “Our goal is to encourage kids to be physically active for 60 minutes a day for six weeks,” he added.

The team also has a history of lending a helping hand overseas; Blakes said that in the past the Globetrotters were used to mend relations with other countries. Blakes recalls the time in August 1951 when the Globetrotters were sent to Berlin to help counteract a communist rally in East Germany. According to Blakes, a record 77,000 fans gathered to watch the Globetrotters and to witness the return of 1948 U.S. Olympic Champion basketball player Jesse Owens, who landed on the Olympic Stadium field in a helicopter right before the show.

Now the Globetrotters are celebrating their 80th season and are better than ever. But it has not always been smooth sailing. In 1993, when former player Mannie Jackson became the first African-American to own a sports and entertainment organization, the team had to be rescued from bankruptcy. Jackson helped revive the Globetrotters and has returned them to their past glories and has raised the attendance to record levels.

Blakes enjoys everything about the family-oriented show, particularly making people smile. He is especially looking forward to the team’s visit to Worcester. “You get a very warm welcome in a smaller venue,” Blakes recalled of the DCU Center. “I love that feeling, and I can’t wait to perform there,” he added.

This year’s tour name, “Unstoppable,” comes from the idea that the team has been wowing the world, making people laugh, and working in the community for 80 years. “We’re still going strong,” said Blakes. “And we could go for another 80 seasons.”

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
“2006 UNSTOPPABLE TOUR”
2pm APRIL 2 AT THE DCU CENTER
www.dcucenter.com