The Harlem Globetrotters have taken their basketball show around the world and back again after forming in the US in the 1920s, but one current member was presented with a career first following Knights training in Newcastle on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sharp-shooter and trick-merchant Dragon went for a slam dunk off the back of some razzle dazzle lead up, featuring Globetrotters teammate Ice and Knights duo James Gavet and Hymel Hunt on a makeshift court at the NRL club’s Mayfield headquarters.
However, in completing the move under the temporary ring and backboard, he replaced the traditional orange Spalding with a rugby league ball.
“Yeah it was the first time [I have slam dunked a rugby league ball],” Dragon confirmed.
“It’s a very different type of feel. Very soft [compared to a basketball]. I played football growing up, but this [rugby league] football is a little bit bigger than a regular American football.”
Ice said she felt at home with the matching red, blue and white colours of the two team’s uniforms.
“It’s not usually like that, normally we’ve got the brighter colours in the group,” Ice said.
“It’s good to match. I think they did that on purpose.”
Dragon and Ice, visiting Australia to promote an upcoming east coast tour in April, were both impressed by the sporting skill sets of Gavet and Hunt.
The Harlem Globetrotters will perform at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Sunday, April 14. The Knights host Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium the evening prior (5:30pm).