About the Harlem Globetrotters:
After garnering rave reviews from families in the Bay Area in January, the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters are set to bring even more excitement back to the San Francisco, San Jose, and Berkeley for three games on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24.
The Hall of Fame team will bring their 2010 "Magical Memories" Tour to the Cow Palace in Daly City (Friday, April 23 at 7 p.m.), HP Pavilion at San Jose (Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m.) and Haas Pavilion on the campus of University of California Berkeley (Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.).
The newly added games will feature some of the most extraordinary athletes and entertainers including new talent who did not appear in January's games. The Globetrotters' show will feature former Chicago Bull and NCAA dunk champion Hi-Lite Bruton, dribbling magicians Handles Franklin, Blenda Rodriguez, and Dizzy Grant, and lights-out shooter Wun The Shot Versher.
Now in their 84th consecutive season of touring the world, the Harlem Globetrotters exhibit a captivating assortment of trick shots, high-flying dunks, and incredible ball handling wizardry with a side-splitting array of comedy -- all presented by some of the world's greatest athletes and entertainers.
In 2009, the Globetrotters made a triumphant return into people's home via highly popular television programming. In a nine month span the Globetrotters had players on "The Amazing Race," "Hell's Kitchen," "Jon & Kate Plus 8" and "The Bachelorette," as well as "The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards."
In February 2010, the Globetrotters continued to make history, as they became the first professional basketball team to play a game on ice. They took to New York's Central Park and defeated the Generals wearing ice cleats and hockey helmets.
"We had so many enthusiastic fans in the Bay Area demanding tickets and another opportunity to see this great show, we just had to come back as soon as possible," said Michael Kenney, the Globetrotters' senior vice president, live event marketing.
Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Spalding, and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have played in 120 countries on six continents, entertaining over 130 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters and to purchase team merchandise or tickets to the event, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
About Curly Neal:
One of the truly magical dribblers and shooters in basketball history, Curly Neal embraced the imagination of fans all over the world, playing in more than 6,000 games in 97 countries as a key members of the Harlem Globetrotters. Number 22 fittingly played for 22 seasons in the red, white, and blue from 1963 to 1985.
Still sporting the trademark shaved head, wide smile and infectious laugh that made him a pop culture icon for decades, on Feb. 15, 2008, Curly became just the first Globetrotter in the team's illustrious history to have his jersey number retired, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Marques Haynes, Meadowlark Lemon and Goose Tatum. Curly's famous number 22 was lifted to the rafters during a special ceremony at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Curly ws part of one of the most extraordinary eras in the team's history, appearing on several popular television programs and specials, including "ABC's Wide World of Sports", "The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn machine", and "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island.". He was also immortalized in animation on "the Harlem Globetrotters" cartoon series and on episodes of "Scooby Doo."
After an outstanding career at James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, N.C., Curly moved on to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., where he averaged over 23 points per game and led his team to the CIAA title his senior year.
He was inducted into the 2008 class of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, along with the renowned Roy Williams, coach of the North Carolina Tar Hells. Curly continues to make appearances for the Globetrotters as an "Ambassador of Goodwill".
Curly is also a member of the Harlem Globetrotters' prestigious "Legends" ring, presented to those who have made a major contribution to the success and the development of the Globetrotters organization. A special advisory board selects honorees who have excelled off the court, in athletic ability, showmanship, humanitarian contributions, and crowd appeal. Curly was inducted into the Globetrotter's "Legends" ring on June 25, 1993.
