On the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2012 World Tour to the West Virginia University Coliseum on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at 7 p.m.

Tickets start at $18 and are available at Mountainlair and CAC Box Offices, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets and at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW. Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

The outstanding rookies include Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player at 7 foot 8 inches, Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5 foot 2 inches, and Fatima “TNT” Maddox of Temple University, the team’s first female player since 1993 and ninth female in team history.

The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including the reigning champ Jacob “Hops” Tucker. At 5 foot 10 inches, Tucker sports a 50-inch vertical leap and his YouTube videos have garnered more than four million views. Tucker joins slam dunk runner-up John “Jet” Williams of UNC-Asheville and semifinalist Darnell “Spider” Wilks of the University of Cincinnati.

The 2012 rookie class has a total of three seven-footers including 7 foot 4 inch Jermaine “Stretch” Middleton, the third-tallest player in team history, and 7-foot Anthony “Biggie” McClain. At 7 foot 8 inches, Sturgess becomes the tallest Globetrotter ever after a career at Mountain State University (W.Va.). He is the 19th internationally born player in team history, hailing from Loughborough, England.

“The Globetrotters are excited to welcome a new generation of stars to carry on the storied tradition of the world’s most entertaining basketball team,” Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider said. “This year’s rookie class features some of the most talented and promising players from across the world.”

Current Globetrotters stars Special K Daley, Big Easy Lofton, Flight Time Lang, Dizzy Grant, Scooter Christensen and many others will team up with the world class rookies for nearly 270 games on the North American portion of the World Tour, bringing the Globetrotter magic to over 230 cities in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces.

Sponsored by Howard Johnson Hotels, Greyhound Lines, Spalding, and Russell Athletic the Original Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 86th consecutive year in 2012, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages.

Throughout their history the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens and presidents over more than eight thrilling decades. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, and to purchase tickets and team merchandise, visit the Globetrotters’ official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Ticket prices range from $18 to $102, depending on location. A seating chart is available on the Web at events.wvu.edu.

This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional event information, call 304-293-SHOW.

-WVU-

11/15/11

CONTACT: Kristie Gale; WVU Arts & Entertainment
304.293.8221; Kristie.Stewart-Gale@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.