Durban was proud to host Buckets Blakes and Handles Franklin of the Harlem Globetrotters during their first visit to SA. They’re set to perform with the whole team in a three city tour in July.

The Socialite’s Chia Kougianos paid a visit to the players on behalf of Durban 2022 to find out more about their upcoming tour and life with the Globetrotters.

Harlem Globetrotters’ Buckets Blakes is the world record holder for the most underhand half court shots made in just over 40 seconds. He has travelled to over 75 countries with the Globetrotters and now he’s on his third passport.

When he’s not on the court or on tour you’ll find Blakes working with kids and donating his time and talents to various outreach programs that focus on bully prevention and life skills.

The Harlem Globetrotters have adopted the nickname “Ambassadors of Goodwill and they take it seriously.

“We’ve introduced the game of basketball to people who live in parts of the world where they have never seen the game before,” Blakes said. “You know for the two hours we play during each game, I have the ability to make people feel good, to help them escape the mundane and put smiles on their faces even when they don’t speak the same language as I do.”

For Chris “Handles” Franklin his dream was always to be a Harlem Globetrotter. After watching them in animation as a child, Franklin was inspired. Today he’s travelled to China over 12 times and he’s played basketball at the White House with President Barack Obama, in front of LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and even Al Pacino.

“It’s important for to inspire others that their dreams are attainable,” Franklin said. “They can be whatever they want to be in life. I’m living testimony of that.”

See the Harlem Globetrotters Live in SA

You can see the Harlem Globetrotters live in action this July on the following dates:

Cape Town:

1 and 2 July 2015

Durban:

3 and 5 July 2015

Johannesburg:

9 and 10 July

Simply visit Computicket for information and bookings:

http://online.computicket.com/web/event/harlem_globetrotters_sa_tour/912011070