In basketball, it’s not exactly legal to grab hold of the rim, hoist yourself up and block shots from that vantage point.
But it is good for quite a few laughs.
The Harlem Wizards traveling troupe has been putting smiles on faces for 60 years, including a Dec. 7 stop at Hampton High School.
Led by “King Arthur” Lewis, a Wizard since 2009, the visitors showed their skills on the basketball court in a thoroughly entertaining manner while taking on groups of faculty members — the event announcer gave them nicknames like “Thelma and Louise” and “Bill Nye the Science Guy” — for the fun of it.
The players also sport colorful nicknames, including “Top Flight,” “Live Action” and “Sky Walker,” who actually is Pittsburgh native Gerald Warrick III.
During intermission, they were happy to sign autographs and have friendly conversations with members of the audience, especially the younger ones.
The event was for the benefit of the Hampton Boys Basketball Booster Club, which players from middle school through the high school varsity team. More than 400 tickets were sold for the Wizards’ initial visit to Hampton, an impressive first-time number for Michelle Csajka Coll, booster club president.
Founded in 1962 by entrepreneur Howie Davis, the Harlem Wizards organization provides fundraising opportunities with shows featuring tricks, music, dunks, comedy, dancing and audience participation. For more information, visit harlemwizards.com.
