Harlem Globetrotters play doubleheader at US Airways Center

The Harlem Globetrotters are a paid sponsor of Sonoran Living Live

The Harlem Globetrotters play a doubleheader at US Airways Center on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

Tickets for the game are on sale now and are priced at $25.75, $29.75, $34.75, $40.75, $59.75, $82.75 (VIP), and $137.75 (Courtside) including fees.

Magic Pass access to the interactive pre-game show may be added for $20. Tickets are available at the US Airways Center Ticket Office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com and USAirwayscenter.com or over the phone at 800-745-3000.

Buckets Blakes was born and raised in Phoenix and still lives in the Valley of the Sun, and his first

exposure to basketball was watching the Phoenix Suns at the age of five. To make his own hoop, he

would cut a hole in the top of his dad’s hat, flip it over and shoot a tennis ball through it.

Buckets says former Suns star Kevin Johnson was a large influence on him. “He wasn’t that big but he

made a huge impact on the game.” Buckets makes a huge impact of his own each night by filling up

the nets with four-point shots. Buckets and fellow basketball star Jason Kidd are also linked; they

share the Guinness World Record for sinking two underhanded half-court shots in one minute.

His parents are his heroes, because they always involved Buckets and his nine siblings in positive

things. He made them proud by earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology in January of 2012 by

taking online courses. Despite the demands of entertaining people all over the world year-round,

Buckets made the Dean’s List three times while completing his courses.

Buckets was not only an outstanding basketball player growing up, but he also lettered in track and

football in high school. As his basketball talents grew, his high school coach, Michael Ellsworth,

showed him that hard work pays off on and off the court.

He took that work ethic to Arizona Western College, where he earned an associate’s degree, and then

to the University of Wyoming, where he was team captain and MVP his junior and senior seasons,

leading the team in rebounding, assists, and steals as a junior. As a senior, Buckets was one of only

two Mountain West Conference players to finish in the top 15 in scoring, rebounding, and assists.

Now in his eleventh season with the Globetrotters, Buckets enjoys working with and mentoring kids, so

he relishes the opportunities he’s had he s to present the Globetrotters’ community outreach programs all

over the world as an Ambassador of Goodwill ™. After his playing days, he sees himself running his

own gym and helping kids build character and self-esteem through sports mentoring. He encourages

youngsters to, “Be the best ‘you’ that you can be, because it’s very difficult to try and be someone

else.”

An avid watch collector, his travels take Buckets to many different places, but when he’s at home, one

thing is always the same: “I can’t fall asleep at night unless I have a bowl of cereal before bed,” he

says.

The Harlem Globetrotters are a paid sponsor of Sonoran Living Live