Hooping Around the World

Harlem Globetrotter showman Hammer Harrison(31) holds up fan during a dance after giving him his shoe back at Toyota Arena in Ontorio, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Harlem Globetrotter rookie Silk Burrell dunks the ball against the Washington Generals at Toyota Arena in Ontorio, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Two little Harlem Globetrotters fans holding up a pen with the basketball spinning on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. Dazzle Kidon spun the ball then gently put it on the tip of the pen during a break in the game at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Washington General player gets held by Harelm Globetrotter showman Hammer Harrioson(31) after atempting a dunk at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Children down on the end of the court playing with their ball at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. Fans where allowed to go down to the court during halftime of the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals game on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Hot Shot Swanson, guard for the Harlem Globetrotters, hanging upside down from the net at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. Hot Shot dunked the ball against Washington Generals on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Harlem Globetrotters mascot Globie relaxing with fans on courtside at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. Globie was the first trotter to be introduced before the start of the game on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Harlem Globetrotter fan freestyles at the end of the court at Toyota Arena in Ontorio, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Harlem Globetrotter showman Hammer Harrison(31) pulls up Washington Generals player Johnsons(23) shorts as he goes for the dunk at Toyota Arena in Ontorio, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Hot Shot Swaonson doing a backflip after being introduced at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. before playing the Washington Generals on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Dazzle Kidon standing on his hands after the Harlem Globetrotters were introduced at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. Globetrotters were facing the Washington Generals on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Washington General player Johnson(23) dunking the ball for the point on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. Generals played an exhibition match against the Harlem Globetrotters at Toyota, Arena in Ontario, Calif. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Harlem Globetrotter guard Hot Shot Swanosn gets held up by showman Hammer Harrison at Toyota Arena in Ontorio, Calif. on Monday, Feb.19, 2024. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

The world-famous basketball team, Harlem Globetrotters, returned to Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, for their 2024 World Tour, bringing an exciting performance for families. Fans of all ages came out to bring the hype and noise for the Globetrotters.

From Harlem, New York, the Globetrotters began their legacy in the late 20’s. Starting from being the only professional team where black talent went due to a segregated National Basketball Association (NBA) in the late 40’s. The Globetrotters did however in the 50’s play a big factor for the new integrated race era in the NBA. 

Although petitioning to join the NBA, Globetrotters solidified themselves to being about entertainment rather than a competitive team due to the NBA now being the goal for many black athletes. Causing them to lose competitive players.

The Globetrotters took on their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals, on Monday, Feb. 19 at 7 pm. The Generals are famous for having a long losing streak since 1971, the last time they beat the Globetrotters. 

The entertainment began as soon as the doors opened while the Globetrotters warmed up. They demonstrated slam dunks and shots from the stands. Kids were allowed to participate at the end of the courts to freestyle with their own Globetrotter basketball. Throughout the game, random fans were given a giant card to call for a change of game, which included one shooting a free throw. 

While a majority of the exhibition match was set up for mid-game performances, the games themselves were not. That didn’t mean it was a normal NBA. The game also included a four-point line 30 feet away from the basket, which is not normally seen in the NBA. Globetrotters kept up their amazing antics throughout the game, such as pretending to be a National Football League team towards the end of the game, from snapping the basketball to reviewing the touchdown. With the Globetrotters coming out as the obvious victors, the Generals continued their long-lasting losing streak.

The Globetrotters 2024 World Tour in California continued Sunday, Feb. 25 at Los Angeles in Crypto.com Arena and within North America to also adding tour dates in Great Britain.