Globe Trotters set to bring excitement to Hat

By JAMES TUBB on January 6, 2022.

“You guys bring your masks and we will bring the fun.”

That’s the message Harlem Globetrotter point guard Wham Middleton has for fans ahead of their show Friday in Medicine Hat. The Globetrotters are bringing their Spread Game Tour to Co-op Place Friday night with tickets still available at harlemglobetrotters.com.

Middleton says there will be new characters in their show since the last time they were here and new fans should expect a good time.

“They definitely have to expect the long distance shots, the high flying dunks and of course, our trick shots. Just to come out and have a good time,” Middleton said.

The Globetrotters started their Spread Game Tour on July 21 after being inactive due to COVID-19 for over a year. Middleton says it’s been really great being back on the road and doing what he loves – performing for people.

“While I stayed home I still trained kids but this is what I really love,” Middleton said. “I love travelling the world and playing the game I love. Just playing games all around the world and putting smiles on many faces, I’m just really happy to get back to it.”

Middleton says his first game back on the court and in front of fans was great, and it didn’t hit him that they were back until he was being introduced alongside his teammates.

The Atlanta product is regarded as one of the Globetrotters’ top dribblers and can also hit the four-point shot from long range with accuracy. – something he says he owes to his teammates for helping him develop.

“It’s amazing, I definitely have to give a shoutout to my teammates Thunder and recently retired Big-easy, for helping me out with my long distance shot,” Middleton said. “Hopefully I will hit it come this Friday and the fans will get to see it live.”

He says he’s just as good or better from long range when he is facing away from the basket, as Middleton has the world record for the farthest behind-the-back basketball shot at 45 feet, six inches, which he set in 2020.

“The story behind that record though is the year before I got it, one of my teammates got it on the same day. It started as my idea but he wanted to do it first so I let him do it first and he told me to come back next year and break it. That’s exactly what I did.”

He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most bounced basketball figure eight moves blindfolded in one minute. It’s skills like Middleton’s that will be on display Friday night in the Hat.

A new part of the Globetrotters experience is the dunk contest that was added for the Spread Game Tour. Middleton says fans love a great dunk contest and it shows off amazing talents.

“There’s some amazing dunkers out there and to give them a part in the show to showcase their skills is unbelievable,” Middleton said. “I know the dunkers love it and I know the fans, they absolutely love it.”

He says he doesn’t have a favourite part of the show, as he just enjoys seeing the fans enjoying themselves.

“It’s the whole show, just the whole experience,” Middleton said. “I just love being out there and seeing everyone having fun, being happy, smiling and laughing, that’s where I get my joy and just being around those fans. That’s when my heart gets really warm.”

The family-friendly shows gets underway Friday night at 7 p.m. at Co-op Place.

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