KAILUA-KONA — Think the Golden State Warriors’ NBA record 73 win season was impressive? That’s nothing. Try a win streak that reaches into the thousands.
That mark belongs to the Harlem Globetrotters, who bring their ball handling wizardry and rim-rattling dunks back to Kailua-Kona on Thursday. The fun tips off at 7 p.m. at the Kealakehe gymnasium.
“We love coming to Hawaii,” Globetrotter star Fatima “TNT” Maddox said. “The fans here are incredible. It’s always a good time.”
The game is part of the Globetrotters 90th anniversary season, which also includes stops in Hilo, Honolulu and Maui.
“To do anything for 90 consecutive years is a big deal,” Maddox said. “Being a part of something so legendary and positive has been such an honor.”
Over nine thrilling decades, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, playing in front of popes, kings, queens and presidents. But even with all those marks on their resume, playing in a high school gymnasium in front of an audience of about 2,000 doesn’t make it any less of a show.
“The smaller venues are always a ton of fun for us,” Maddox said. “We are able to go into the stands easier and get more intimate with the fans. We really enjoy it.”
Many times, the group has used the game of basketball to break down cultural and societal barriers, which Maddox is no stranger to herself. In the fall of 2011, she became the first woman to don the red, white, and blue since 1993. Her success opened the door for other female players to join the team, including current members Sweet J Ekworomadu and Ace Jackson.
“At the time, opportunities were picking up for women players,” Maddox said, who played two years professionally overseas before signing on with the Globetrotters. “For them to think I could be on the team was incredibly humbling.”
Maddox — now in her fifth season with the Globetrotters — said a lot of the players are looking forward to the Aloha State leg of the tour, hoping to sneak some time in the sun and ocean between games. But don’t expect the relaxation time to translate into an off-day on the court.
The last loss for the Globetrotters against the traveling opponent was on Jan. 5, 1971, in Martin, Tennessee, when the New Jersey Reds edged the Globetrotters by a score of 100-99. Player/owner Red Klotz hit the game-winning shot, ending the Globetrotters’ 2,495-game winning streak.
It’s hard to track down an accurate record for the Globetrotters — who have multiple teams on tour at a time — but according to Globetrotter PR, the team’s overall record sits at 25,895-345.
Those eye-popping numbers speak for themselves, and the Globetrotters’ antics on the court have made them worldwide icons. However, their efforts off of it are what have made them known as the, “Ambassadors of Goodwill.”
The team is planning to bring their bullying prevention program to over 400 schools and community centers this year, while also talking to youth about character education and physical fitness, visiting children’s hospitals and simply lending a hand to those in need.
“This job is so much more than basketball. The things we do off the court are the most rewarding,” Maddox said. “We find joy in giving people memories that are going to last a lifetime.”