Renown Basketball Entertainers, The Harlem Wizards, Return To East Bay To Benefit JFKU Sport Psychology Program.
To most basketball fans, the word “Harlem” with basketball means only one thing: The Globetrotters. However, the Harlem Wizards can provide some hardwood magic of their own.
The Wizards were created in 1962 to provide a more “intimate” show basketball experience. The Wizards would take all the trick-dribbling, high-flying comedy of the Globetrotters and square off against a customized team from the community.
They quickly became well known as a way to bring communities together by way of a family-friendly event more accessible than the Globetrotters.
This revision on an old classic has now brought laughter and “Wows” to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. On Sunday, April 29, the Harlem Wizards return to Walnut Creek for a second straight year.
They will bring their tricks, dunks and athleticism, and combine it with comedy and audience interaction. The visit will benefit the Solt Evans LEAP Program of John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill.
The Wizards will compete against a team of teachers and administrators from Mount Diablo Unified School District schools at Northgate High gymnasium. Tip-off is 1pm; doors open at noon.
The Wizards have four traveling units. Last year’s visit from Team Broadway — led by former Globetrotter, Eric “Broadway” Jones — was a big crowd pleaser. This year the Wizards will be represented by Team Swoop. Leader Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson is 6-foot-7 and also has Globetrotter experience. He’s now been a Wizard for 11 seasons.
LEAP (Life Enhancement through Athletic Participation) Program
The LEAP program has helped hundreds of Bay Area underserved youth learn valuable life lessons over the past two decades. Master’s students in John F. Kennedy University’s Sport Psychology graduate program work with youth in summer camps, year-round workshops and in the local community.
Their goal is to help them learn goal setting, emotional management, motivation and team building skills in a supportive environment of positive reinforcement.
Tickets are currently on sale online. Advance tickets are $18 for students and $22 for adults, and will be $20 (students) and $25 (adults) at the door on game-day.
VIDEO FROM THE 2017 EVENT
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