Highlight dunks, flashy passes and constant crowd interaction defined the Harlem Globetrotters’ visit to Cal Poly on January 16th, where the team performed a special game celebrating their 100th anniversary.
The Harlem Globetrotters, an exhibition basketball team founded in the 1920s, have been known for their entertaining style of play and their influence on shaping modern basketball.
Fans in attendance were excited by the action, including high school student Will Hawke, who attended his first Globetrotters game.
“I’ve never been to one of these before, but I’ve heard great things, and it should be a good time,” Hawke said.
Second-year Globetrotters player Andrew “Big Dog” Whisset also shared his enthusiasm, saying it is an honor to be part of the team during its 100th season. He credited previous generations of players for laying the foundation that allows today’s team to showcase its skills.
“We’re at this point where we want to bring our own expectations and our own new world into the game,” Whisset said. “I really love it all.”
Whisset, who is from a small town in California, found it meaningful to play at Cal Poly. He said whether the team is performing at Madison Square Garden in New York or on a smaller campus like Cal Poly, the energy from fans remains the same, and can sometimes be even better in smaller communities where interaction feels more personal.
The Globetrotters ended the game in style, defeating their longtime rivals, the Washington Generals. They also extended their 25-year unbeaten streak against them while delivering a memorable performance for fans on the Central Coast.
