Harlem Globetrotters Meet Local Youth with Disabilities, Play Wheelchair Basketball

Jan 11, 2015

Posted in Arts and CultureCommunityEducation/Schools/Youth

Harlem Globetrotters play wheelchair basketball after school at Edna Brewer Middle School in Oakland. Photos by Laura Ming Wong.

By Post Staff

In advance of six games in the Bay Area, two stars of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters and youth with disabilities played wheelchair basketball Wednesday afternoon at Edna Brewer Middle School in Oakland.

Slick Willie Shaw and Buckets Blakes took turns in wheelchairs while spinning balls and trading baskets with the children. Trooper Johnson, a former Paralympic basketball player, coached the group and also shared his expertise.

Attending the event were school faculty and students enrolled in the after school program Safe Passages program, which serves about 25 percent of Edna Brewer’s students.

As the Ambassadors of Goodwill, the Globetrotters granted the request by the staff at the Center for Independent Living. Members of the Disability Action Network for Youth (DANY) also attended the event.

The Globetrotters spoke at schools in Oakland and San Jose this week.

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The team will play a total of six games at Oracle Arena in Oakland and SAP Center in San Jose from Friday, Jan. 9 through Saturday, Jan. 17.

For tickets and details, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Courtesy of the Oakland Post, January 11, 2015, (postnewsgroup.com)