Harlem Globetrotters coming to The Arena Wed, March 18

Zeus McClurkins – courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters

The confetti will be flying and the familiar whistles and tweets of “Sweet Georgia Brown” will echo from the sound system as the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters take to the hardwood at The Arena in Corbin on March 18.

Taking to the floor with the Globetrotters is 6’8” forward Zeus McClurkins.

The Columbus, Ohio native, who played college basketball at North Carolina A&T, is in his first year with the Globetrotters

“They call me Zeus because of the thunder I create with my dunks,” McClurkins said.

Though Columbus is one of the hotbeds of basketball in Ohio, McClurkins explained his career was almost over before it even began and only came about because of hard work.

McClurkins was cut from every team he tried out for between seventh and tenth grade before finally making his high school team during his junior and senior years.

Upon moving to the college ranks, McClurkins found himself in a familiar place, playing his first two years at the Division II level. A coaching change left him without a place to play. After enrolling at North Carolina A&T, he made the basketball team as a walk-on.

“Be coachable,” McClukins said when asked what advice he would offer to aspiring athletes, no matter the sport. “Be a player that the coach never has to worry about and can depend upon when called upon.”

McClurkins went on to play with several professional teams in various leagues throughout the world. One of those teams included Washington Generals, the traditional opposing team for the Globetrotters.

“This is being billed as the 2015 Washington Generals Revenge Tour,” McClurkins said of the current Globetrotters world tour, noting it has been five years since the Globetrotters last faced the Generals.

“The Globetrotters haven’t lost to the Generals since 1971,” McClurkins said.

While playing for the Generals, the Globetrotters’ scouts liked what they saw from McClurkins and offered him a contract to wear the red, white and blue.

McClurkins said he understands it could be just one year, but his goal is to play at least five years and earn a coveted Globetrotters Legacy ring.

“I would like to do it for the next 100 years,” McClurkins said, noting his time with the team has given him the opportunity to see somuch of the world.

“Last year I had the chance to go to Israel and walk the streets of Jerusalem,” McClurkins said. “We went to Rome and I got to go to the Vatican and the Coliseum.” I would say they are, by far, the coolest things I have seen.”

McClurkins said the first time he played for the Globetrotters with his family in the crowd, stands out as his most memorable game.

“It was an amazing experience,” McClurkins said, noting his father never lets anyone go without letting them know his son plays for theGlobetrotters.

“They are very proud of me,” he said.

McClurkins said playing for the Globetrotters is about more than just basketball skills. In addition to the three and four-point shots,variety of trick shots and ball handling skills, Globetrotters must be able to interact with the fans.

“You have to have a big personality off the court as well,” McClurkins said.

As to NBA stars that have what it takes to be a Globetrotter, McClurkins said Shaquille O’Neal is one.

McClurkins said traditional Globetrotter skits such as the hidden ball, the “lost purse” and the bucket of confetti thrown on an unsuspecting member of the crowd will all be included during the game.

“If we get hungry, we may help ourselves to some popcorn as well,” McClurkins said, describing another of the traditional Globetrotters moves.

McClurkins said it would be an interesting game if theGlobetrotters faced off against the undefeated University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Tickets are $23-70 and are available at The Arena box office or online through Ticketmaster.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m.

Players will be available for autographs for up to 30 minutes after the game.