Harlem Globetrotters
Comedic basketball troupe
The Harlem Globetrotters are a basketball exhibition team known for combining athletic skill with comedy and theatrical performances.
Founded in 1926, they travel worldwide playing scripted games against foil opponents, featuring trick shots, ball-handling wizardry, and slapstick routines.
The name evokes Harlem as a center of Black American culture, though the team originated in Chicago.
We took the kids to see the Globetrotters suggests family entertainment rather than competitive sport.
Public display of items
- spectacleVisually striking event
- family-friendlySuitable for all ages
- arenaVenue for contests
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
vaudeville · performance · amusement · souvenirs · meet-and-greet · mascot · merchandise · tickets
Ball-handling with repeated touches
- slam-dunkForceful overhead basket
- alley-oopAerial pass-to-dunk play
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
- layupClose-range basket attempt
rebound · three-pointer · hoops · swish · backboard · pick-and-roll · weave · court
Exaggerated physical humor
- gagsJokes or silencing devices
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
- pratfallsStaged comedic falls
- jestingPlayful, unserious speech
jokes · buffoonery · schtick · antics · pranks · timing · mugging · horseplay
Those who open territory
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
- ambassadorsOfficial diplomatic representatives
- barnstormingTouring rural areas performing
- 1920sPost-WWI American decade
Hinckley · Illinois · integration · heritage · historic · groundbreaking · influential
Showy, confusing spectacle
- flairStylish natural aptitude
- panacheFlamboyant confidence of manner
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
- dazzleImpress through radiance
flashiness · swagger · pizzazz · finesse · flamboyance · exhibitionism · crowd-pleasing · choreography
List of members
- squadSmall working group
- lineupOrdered list of participants
- playersGame participants
- unitIndividual part or measure
ensemble · camaraderie · chemistry · passing · coordination · synchronization · collaboration · brotherhood
exhibition
Public display of items
- spectacleVisually striking event
- family-friendlySuitable for all ages
- arenaVenue for contests
halftime · vaudeville · performance · amusement · souvenirs · meet-and-greet · mascot · merchandise · tickets · touring
dribbling
Ball-handling with repeated touches
- slam-dunkForceful overhead basket
- alley-oopAerial pass-to-dunk play
- crossoverGenre-blending work or transition
layup · rebound · three-pointer · hoops · swish · backboard · pick-and-roll · weave · court
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
jesting · jokes · buffoonery · schtick · antics · pranks · timing · mugging · horseplay · tomfoolery
trailblazers
Those who open territory
- pioneersFirst to explore territory
- ambassadorsOfficial diplomatic representatives
- barnstormingTouring rural areas performing
1920s · Hinckley · Illinois · integration · heritage · historic · groundbreaking · influential
razzle-dazzle
Showy, confusing spectacle
- flairStylish natural aptitude
- panacheFlamboyant confidence of manner
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
dazzle · flashiness · swagger · pizzazz · finesse · flamboyance · exhibitionism · crowd-pleasing · choreography · routines
roster
List of members
unit · ensemble · camaraderie · chemistry · passing · coordination · synchronization · collaboration · brotherhood · tradition
- basketballbasketball, rebound, dunk, basketball camps, dribble
- HarlemApollo Theater, Cotton Club, Savoy Ballroom, Sugar Hill, Langston Hughes
Harlem, globetrotter, globetrotters, globetrotting, globe, globes, global, globalism, globalist