As a part of the festivities this Homecoming, The Harlem Wizards made a stop Tuesday to Prairie View A&M campus. The Harlem Wizards have been around since 1962 and featured some of the top basketball talent in the world with their exciting brand of “Trick Hoopz and Alley Oops.” The Wizards consisted of 25 people, and there are two traveling teams, each with seven players. The other team is currently in Michigan, but that still doesn’t stop them from putting on a show. Their season consists of more than 300 plus games a year, with a season that lasts from September to May.
As a promotional for the game, the Wizards invaded the Memorial Student Center interacting with students and faculty. Dwayne Simpson, or “Swoop” made himself at home in the cafeteria. He immediately sat down, and began talking and joking with students as if he had known them for years. He received his nickname from childhood; people always said he could glide like the NBA legend, Connie Hawkins. This has been his second year with the Wizards, and before that he did six tours with the Harlem Globetrotters. While in the cafeteria “Swoop” didn’t mind having all eyes on him, in fact he enjoyed it. He even gave them something to look at by performing tricks like it was nobody’s business.
After he was done with his showcase in the cafeteria, he went into the entranceway of the Memorial Student Center and picked up right where he left off. “Swoop” and eight-year veteran Wizard “Cross Magic” traded tricks back and forth all the while drawing a crowd of spectators.
Next, “Swoop” grabbed four members from the crowd and gathered them into a basic game of catch. As he stood in the middle of the circle they had formed, the ball flew left, right, up, down, and any way you can think of. When it was over, freshman chemical engineering major, Dandrae Randall won a free ticket to the game.
“Swoop” said what he enjoys most about being a Wizard is the entertainment they provide. “We make people laugh, we play ball, travel around the world, we do something that’s good and brings people together.”
Ron “Skycam” Ferguson agreed. “We bring people together, travel, and have a lot of fun while doing it. We make people smile, and that’s what we enjoy most.”
Before the game, Lady Panther basketball team member Candice Thomas said, “I enjoy their excitement and the different tricks they perform on the court.” When asked if Coach Cooper will let her pull off the tricks in the game, she replied “Yes, as long as I don’t turn it over or showboat.”
The Harlem Wizards proved themselves to be friendly, respectable, and overall nice guys. For more information on the Harlem Wizards, visit harlemwizards.com