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Hoops Green entertains at Valley View Elementary

By Murray Gleffe

Correspondent


ASHWAUBENON – It’s not every day a Harlem Globetrotters player drops by your school.

On Dec. 9, Valley View Elementary School in Ashwaubenon was the lucky recipient.

Hoops Green entertained third and fifth graders with an array of magic tricks with the basketball, but also had an important message about bullying through a program called TEAM – talk, empathize, ask and mobilize.

For those not familiar, the Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines comedy, theatrics, entertainment and important life messages to all ages.

The Globetrotters originated in the 1920s and are noted for their ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ song.

“I enjoy going to the schools and encouraging the kids to be kind,” said Green. “Make sure if you have a problem, you talk to an adult or person you can trust.”

Green has been around basketball for most of her life.

She grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

After graduating from Lexington Catholic High School, she received a scholarship from the University of Texas-El Paso and played professionally overseas in Spain, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

“After I got done with my playing days, I gave the Harlem Globetrotters a call and interviewed for the position,” Green said. “We split into a red, white and blue unit with about 40-50 total players, which cover a large area. We feed off the crowd’s energy. Every experience is unique and diverse in the many cities we travel to.”

While at Valley View, Green brought out multiple volunteers to do ball-handling tricks and attempt shots at the basket.

Through interaction, the more than 300 in attendance were continuously yelling compliments to their fellow peers.

“The Globetrotters are known for being ambassadors of goodwill,” said Green. “It’s important to give back to the community where you live and encourage young kids they are not alone. If we see one smiling face, we never forget.”

Green said school violence has been on her mind.

“We have to address school violence every day,” Green said. “It’s going on, and we can’t deny it. Speaking up and having open communication are the most important things in stopping these tragedies from eventually happening. If everybody could use our second letter [empathize] each day, there would be more kindness and happiness in the world.”

When Green is not on the road, she enjoys being around her family and hanging out at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Harlem Globetrotters will be at the Resch Center Saturday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit reschcenter.com.

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