Ant Atkinson’s boundless energy, deft shooting touch, ball handling mastery, and quick wit has made him a fan favorite. “The camaraderie we have as a team is unbelievable,” Ant says. “We have great chemistry.”
Globetrotters Showman Big Easy Lofton gets his nickname from growing up in New Orleans and his easy-going nature, which is a trait that helped him thoroughly enjoy his three runs on “The Amazing Race.” Big Easy and his partner finished as high as second place on the show.
Handles Franklin had many positive role models growing up – first and foremost being his parents. His father was a police officer, and his mother worked at a hospital. “They both served the community and passed that mentality on to me,” says Handles. He also credits his high school coach, Bill Gaffey, for setting him on the right path. “He taught me that education was very important.
Hi-Lite Bruton (BROO-tun) is a crowd favorite because of his hilarious personality and high-flying slam dunks, but you might be surprised to know that he didn't dunk for the first time until he was a senior in high school.
A 2008 Globetrotters draftee, Bull Bullard (BULL-urd) is proof positive that a person can overcome adversity to achieve their goals. Bull grew up in the foster care system, so he was on his own a lot, and he had to avoid all of the traps that come with the drugs, crime and gang activity that was prevalent in his neighborhood.
Dribbling and shooting dynamo Dizzy English credits his mother’s strength for giving him the courage to follow his dreams and never stop believing in himself. “She made sure I didn’t want for anything and always kept food on my plate and a roof over my head, even when money was really tight,” says Dizzy.
Flip White comes from a family where basketball was always a part of life. He was introduced to the game at the age of four, and one of his fondest basketball memories was his father holding him up to the hoop to dunk the basketball when he was a kid. Flip’s grandparents also used to take him to Globetrotters games. “I love entertaining people and putting smiles on their faces,” says Flip.
Harlem Globetrotter Thunder Law is living a dream as a member of the world’s most famous team. “Growing up, I always wanted to see the Globetrotters in person but never got the chance,” says Thunder. “Now, I’m a part of the organization … words can’t explain how great it feels.”
Harlem Globetrotter Cheese Chisholm (CHI-zum) says that basketball superstar Kevin Durant is the sports figure that has influenced him the most, but maybe not for the reasons people might think. “He’s living proof that skinny people can hoop with anyone,” says Cheese, with his signature smile.
Harlem Globetrotter Dragon Taylor finds it very easy to describe the feeling he has being a part of the world’s most famous team. “It feels phenomenal doing something I love and making other people smile while doing it,” he says.
A native of Kingston, N.Y., Firefly Fisher grew up watching the New York Knicks, which inspired him to play basketball in his father’s driveway every chance he could. The driveway court was made of rocks, so Firefly had to become an expert ball handler just to keep possession of the ball.
If you are looking for an inspiring story of overcoming adversity and a late start to achieve a lofty goal, look no further than Globetrotters dunking sensation Hammer Harrison.
Moose Weekes is living a dream with the Harlem Globetrotters. “I can’t think of another job where you can have such a great time doing what you love to do, while putting smiles on people’s faces every day,” says Moose.
There’s family, and then there’s extended family. That’s how Globetrotters dribbling wizard Scooter Christensen describes his teammates. “I consider my teammates my brothers and sisters,” he says. Of course, like siblings do, the players fun-lovingly joke around with each other a lot. “My first year, we had a player that looked like Squidward Tentacles from SpongeBob SquarePants.
Harlem Globetrotter TNT Lister joined a very elite group in the fall of 2011, becoming the first woman to don the red, white, and blue since 1993 – and her success opened the door for other female players to join the team in recent years.
Beast Douglas is living proof that one can prevail adversity and come back stronger than ever. He has overcome several obstacles throughout his young career, including a serious knee injury that nearly derailed his dreams of playing professionally and the loss of his mother.
Coming from the small town of Collirene, Alabama, Clutch Ball says he never imagined he’d be donning the Globetrotters’ famous red, white and blue uniform. “Being part of this iconic team means the world to me. I feel so lucky to be part of this organization, because not everyone gets this incredible opportunity.”
Hoops Green joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 2017 becoming only the 15th woman to ever don the red, white and blue uniform in the team’s 90-plus year history.
The now 5-foot-9 guard first started pursuing basketball at age 4. She was introduced to the sport by her older brother who has served as one of her greatest mentors.
Jumpin’ Joe Ballard joins the Harlem Globetrotters as part of the team’s 2016 rookie class. The 6-foot-5 forward from Dayton, Ohio is known in his home state as one of the most prolific dunkers around.
Spider Sharpless was introduced to basketball and inspired by watching Hall of Famer – and one-time Globetrotter – Magic Johnson play in his final NBA season. He was also inspired growing up by superstar basketball player Carmelo Anthony and considers Bo Jackson the greatest athlete who has ever lived, because of how he dominated two sports at the highest level.
Never back down from a challenge – this is the motto Chris “Animal” Hyche, one of the Harlem Globetrotters’ newest members, lives by. Growing up, the Globetrotters rookie idolized NBA legend Michael Jordan. From him, he learned that staying focused on a goal and never giving up could lead him to reach his dream of playing professionally one day.
They call him the “Michael Jordan of dwarf basketball,” standing 4-foot-5 “Hot Shot” Swanson joins the Harlem Globetrotters as the shortest player in team history.
Swanson was born with dwarfism, a genetic condition, but didn’t keep him from following his passion. He was first introduced to basketball as a toddler and grew up idolizing NBA legend Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson.
“Never give up. Life will throw you curve balls all the time. Write down your goals, smaller ones, and large ones. Knock them out and you will achieve whatever you desire.”
He was a selected along with figures like Aaron Judge, Wonder Woman and Tim Tebow as part of the Harlem Globetrotters 2017 Draft. “Money” Merriweather hopped on the Globetrotters radar after putting on a stellar performance in front of a national audience at the 2017 College Dunk Contest.
One of the most electrifying scorers on the Harlem Globetrotters roster, Torch George brings the fire every time she steps onto the court with her razor-sharp shooting skills and ankle-breaking dribbling moves.
Growing up like many other children with older siblings, Bulldog Mack looked up to his older brother, Chris. He followed him around everywhere, including the gym for basketball practice where he discovered a love for the sport.
Like his brother, who also played for the Harlem Globetrotters, he follows into his footsteps as a member of the world's most famous team.
Mighty Mortimer is the 17th female player to join the Harlem Globetrotters in the team’s 90-plus year history. Her small frame, combined with her explosiveness on the court, earned her the nickname Mighty with the Trotters.
Lights Out Lee is one of the newest additions to the Harlem Globetrotters’ roster of world-class athletes and dribblers. He earned his nickname with the team for his spot-on shooting accuracy.
Dash Diaz is one of the newest additions to the Harlem Globetrotters’ star-studded roster and brings some of the most unique set of handles seen with the team, incorporating breakdancing into his ball handling routine.
Similar to Globetrotter legends Tex Harrison and Curly Neal, this new Globetrotter star joins the roster after a standout college career in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Six-foot-six Crush January attended Saint Augustine’s University (N.C.) where he was a four-year starter.
Champ Thompson joins the Harlem Globetrotters after being drafted by the team during their 12th annual player draft in June of 2018. Prior to joining the Harlem Globetrotters she had a stellar playing career for Stanford University and the University of Notre Dame.
Springs Patterson earned his nickname with the Harlem Globetrotters for his jaw-dropping leaping ability on the court. The Minneapolis native joins the Harlem Globetrotters as part of the team’s 2018 rookie class.
Similar to some of his new teammates, Harlem Globetrotters star Hops Pearce joins the famous roster after winning the 2018 Dark Horse Dunk Competition during Final Four Weekend. Pearce adds to the Globetrotters growing list of some of the best dunkers on the planet.
New to the Harlem Globetrotters this year is 5-foot-8-inch Ice Hrynko (rink-o). The dynamic guard, who grew up idolizing basketball icon Dawn Staley, joins the Globetrotters after a professional basketball career overseas and the WNBA.
Hi-Rise Hinton joins the Harlem Globetrotters out of Winston Salem, N.C. The 6-foot-7-inch forward earned his nickname for his high-flying and powerful dunks.
At just 4-6, Justin X-Over Thompkins is the second-shortest player in Globetrotter history; the shortest is his 4-5 older brother and current Globetrotter Hot Shot Swanson.
Speedy Artis joins the Harlem Globetrotters after playing professionally in Brazil for the America Esporte Club in 2017. Artis earned his nickname on the Globetrotters roster for his rapid style of play and dexterity on the court.
Similar to her teammate TNT Lister, who is only the ninth woman to play for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, Swish Sutton joined the roster following a standout college career at the University of South Carolina playing for Naismith Hall of Fame coach Dawn Staley. Under the direction of the three-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA All-Star, the now Globetrotters rookie led South Carolin
