The Harlem Globetrotters are set to bring their illustrious 100 Year Tour to Lakeland on January 9, performing at 7 p.m. at the RP Funding Center. Fans can look forward to an entertaining showdown against their long-standing rivals, the Washington Generals, in a spectacle that combines comedy, impressive basketball tricks, and acrobatics.
Since their inception in 1926, the Globetrotters have evolved from their roots as the Giles Post, representing Wendell Phillips High School in the Negro American Legion League. With the guidance of Abe Saperstein, who acquired the team in 1927 and rebranded them, the Harlem Globetrotters quickly established themselves in the professional sports arena. The team initially competed seriously during the 1930s while gradually infusing humor into their performances, culminating in a victory at the esteemed World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1940.
Historical highlights for the Globetrotters include monumental wins against the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers in the late 1940s and the groundbreaking achievement of Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, who became the first Black player to sign an NBA contract in 1950, marking a significant moment in sports history.
For those looking to catch the Globetrotters in action, tickets for the show are available now, ranging from $46 to $142. Additionally, fans have the opportunity to enhance their experience with a Globetrotters Magic Pass Pre-Show event at 5:30 p.m. for $35, or a Celebrity Court Pre-Show Event at 6:15 p.m. for $107. Tickets can be purchased at the RP Funding Center Box Office, online, or by calling 863-834-8111.
As the Globetrotters celebrate a century of entertainment, their performance promises not only a thrilling evening of sport but also a celebration of their rich legacy and impact in basketball and beyond.