The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters - revered for their exceptional athleticism, basketball wizardry, and heartwarming interactions with fans of all ages - are making their annual return to Springfield on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the MassMutual Center as part of their 2025 World Tour.
"The Harlem Globetrotters continue to be celebrated as ambassadors of goodwill, combining sportsmanship and entertainment while bringing joy to families all over the world," said Keith Dawkins, president, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios. "Our global tour remains a core part of our business but we've also been able to expand the brand with new widely distributed content, new strategic partners, unique merchandise offerings, elevated social extensions and deeper fan experiences. This increased activity has us well positioned for our 100-year anniversary in 2026 and beyond."
An outstanding dribbler and long-range shooter, Too Tall Winston, took time before their tour began to answer random questions submitted by The Republican.
A. What's new this year is our Big Chain Challenges throughout the game, (where) fans will have a chance to win one of our Harlem Globetrotter Big Chains
A: We have 4 new players - Big Dog Whitsett, from Hamilton City, CA; "Cash" Price, from Columbia, SC; "Dragon" Gilmore, from Norway, SC; and "Dynamite" Key, from Bowling Key, KY.
A. During our pregame, we offer a Magic Pass paid experience where fans have the opportunity to have a one-on-one question and answer session with a Globetrotter. Magic Pass provides fans photo opportunities with players, an autograph, and a chance to be on our new 360 Camera platform to shoot hoops with Washington Generals.
A. The Generals are competitors at the end of the day and the last time they won was in 1971. But since I've been with the team, we haven't lost, so I love to win. I look at it like a sibling rivalry, the little brother always loses to the big brother. You never know the Washington Generals have been preparing all year or what's up their sleeve, so we always need to be ready as they try to dethrone the Globetrotters!
A. Absolutely. We practice every single day before our games and just like any professional athlete, we work on our ball handling, shooting, passing, and playing together as a team. We also keep a strict work-out schedule every day and many of us work out together.
A. Yes. Fans definitely have their favorites and we see often times handmade signs or they are screaming to our players like 'Torch' George, who lights up the floor with her amazing ball handling, 'Bulldog' Mack with his half court hook shot, 'Jet' Rivers with his amazing shooting from the 4-point line and me 'Too Tall' Winston. I love showing off my 2 ball spin and backwards Trick Shot!
A. Of course. Music while playing basketball puts you in a different mode. Especially if some J Cole or Kendrick is playing through the speakers.
Too Tall Winston, a 5-10 point guard, is setting Guinness World Records titles with 4 total, including most basketball layups in one minute and the most bounced basketball figure-eight moves in one minute in November 2020.
A four-year starter and the 2008 Player of the Year at Russellville High School in Russellville, Alabama, Winston has been playing basketball since the age of three. He also excelled in football and track and field in high school and credits his dad and two older brothers for encouraging him in sports.