Press Release
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS BRINGING REMARKABLE ROOKIE CLASS TO THE FRANK ERWIN CENTER FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Globetrotters Introduce Class of Newcomers, Highlighted by the Tallest Pro Basketball Player, the Shortest Globetrotter Ever and the Team’s First Female in 19 Years
AUSTIN, Texas –The Harlem Globetrotters will bring one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history to the Frank Erwin Center Friday, Jan. 27 for their 2012 World Tour.
The outstanding rookies include Paul “Tiny” Sturgess of Mountain State University in W. Va., the world’s tallest pro basketball player at 7 feet 8 inches, Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5 feet 2 inches and Fatima “TNT” Maddox of Temple University, the team’s first female player since 1993 and ninth female in team history.
The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from this year’s College Slam Dunk Contest, including the reigning champ Jacob “Hops” Tucker. At 5 feet 10 inches tall, Tucker sports a 50-inch vertical leap, and his YouTube videos have garnered more than 4 million views. Joining Tucker is slam dunk runner-up John “Jet” Williams of UNC-Asheville and semifinalist Darnell “Spider” Wilks of the University of Cincinnati.
The 2012 rookie class has a total of three 7-footers including 7-foot-4-inch Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton, the third tallest player in team history and 7-foot Anthony “Biggie” McClain. Standing 7 feet 8 inches tall Sturgess becomes the tallest Globetrotter ever. Hailing from Loughborough, England, Sturgess 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, bringing the Globetrotter magic to more than 230 cities in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces.
Player rosters in each city will vary and are subject to change.
Sponsored by Howard Johnson Hotels, Greyhound Lines, Spalding, and Russell Athletic, the Original Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 86th consecutive year in 2012, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official website: harlemglobetrotters.com.
Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m.
Frank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas
TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 10AM!
Tickets are available at all Texas Box Office outlets including select H-E-B stores, Ft. Hood ITR and Renaissance Records in Killeen, by phone at (512) 477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or online at TexasBoxOffice.com. Facility fee and convenience charges may apply. All information is subject to change.
Suites at the Frank Erwin Center provide a unique environment to entertain your clients, family and friends. For more information, call (512) 471-4713 or email suites@erwin.utexas.edu.
