Harlem Globetrotter Visits Southside STEM Academy

On Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, about 75 students at Southside S.T.E.M. Academy had a surprise visit from a Harlem Globetrotter Amabassador Zeus McClurkin. 

McClurkin started off the event by talking to the students about the importance of being kind and respectful. He encouraged middle schoolers from Southside S.T.E.M. Academy to always be positive and to believe in themselves regardless of what is going on around them. Also, he let students know about the history of the Harlem Globetrotters and how 2026 makes the organization's 100^th year in existence. The team are pioneers in popularizing the slam dunk, the fast break, the forward and point guard positions, and the figure-eight weave. 

His talk also focused on how the organization's players helped to break down barriers such as how the Lakers accelerated the integration of the NBA, as Globetrotter Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton became the first African American player to sign an NBA contract when he joined the famed New York Knicks in 1950. Also, McClurkin educated the students on how the first woman Olympic Gold Medalist Lynette Woodard joined the Globetrotters, becoming the first female to ever play on a men’s pro basketball team and helping to blaze a path for the WNBA. He mentioned how Harlem Globetrotters have visited more than 126 countries in their 100-year existence, reaching nearly 150-million audiences globally. 

The students were very engaged during his talk and were able to answer questions about the history of the Harlem Globetrotters and were selected to learn some trick shots. Within seconds he taught six different students, six different trick shots from using their elbow, to their head as well as bouncing the ball behind their back.    

McClurkin carefully took the time to talk to students after the event was over, and he continued to encourage them to be their best versions of themselves. 

From school leadership and down to the students, he made the visit fun and educational. 

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