By Jesse Bertel
Across The Street

The Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour is coming to Prescott Valley with a game like never before. Experience the fun performance and amazing basketball skill of the Globetrotters from March 3 to 5, at the Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 Main St., Prescott Valley, as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team.

For over 90 years the Harlem Globetrotters have contributed to the growth of basketball across the world through their incredible and hilarious antics, artful athleticism and unparalleled moves.

The World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters team has showcased their iconic brand of basketball in over 124 countries and territories across six continents since 1926.

Their mission is to advance the game of basketball and deliver exciting and interactive entertainment to the world. If you have ever seen a jump shot, slam dunk or a half-court hook shot, you have witnessed the creative moves made famous by the Globetrotters.

“Like we do every year, we’re gonna continue delivering smiles and inspiration with a fresh show for the 2023 season,” said Flip White, a Harlem Globetrotters utility player for over 10 years. “We’re going to bring the same smiles, bring the same joy. We may take it up another level, you never know.”

White explained that the new generation of Globetrotters brings the same humor with a modern approach to athleticism.

“We keep the antics the same, of course, the athleticism is a little different,” White said. “They were dunking back then but we’re a little bit more high flying,”

Audiences can expect to see some of the same classic routines that they are used to.

“We want to keep the stuff that people love to see, like the antics, the confetti bucket, the water bucket – those are our fan favorites,” White said. “We mix the high-flying in with a little bit of the old school slide dribbling that Curly Neal used to do and the antics of Meadowlark and Sweet Lou, everybody that paved the way for us. We want to keep that aspect in it, but we take it up another level with our athleticism.”

White was chosen as a player for the Globetrotters after auditioning with a YouTube video that showcased the high-flying dunking and acrobatic skills that he has become known for.

“The thing that they remember the most is when I’m on top of the rim and I’m dancing,” White said. “My videos went viral of me dancing on top of the rim, then I swing down and go into my back handspring. That’s one of my favorite moments that I’ve done on court with the Globetrotters. So, doing that and seeing the fans love it and their response, that’s one of my favorite things on the court.”

For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters and to order tickets, visit the Globetrotters’ official website: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Jesse Bertel is a reporter/videographer for the Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter @ JesseBertel, email him at jbertel@prescottaz.com, or call 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.