FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2006

--Tricks, Hoops, Alley-Oops & A Whole Lot More
               Brooklyn N.Y. - The Harlem Wizards (www.harlemwizards.com) are taking basketball to a new level. Featuring outstanding athletes/basketball players, the Wizards are built around fundamental basketball, but this is not just any basketball team. They will be appearing in a major basketball show at Kingsborough’s Second Annual Homecoming Day on Sunday September 17, 2006. There they will play (4) different Alumni Teams during four quarters of the game, including Kingsborough’s 2006 CUNY Championship Men’s team. For further information and ticket prices for Homecoming Day please contact the Office of Alumni Relations by calling 718-368-6540 or going to room M241 in the MAC building.

                The Harlem Wizards offer a complete package of excitement, laughter and community wrapped up tight in a high-flying, acrobatic slam-dunk.  Founded by sports entrepreneur Howie Davis in 1962, the Wizards have been all around the world thrilling millions of fans along the way.  The Wizards bring a combination of basketball, theatrics and unrivaled showmanship into every performance they give. The Wizards can be summed up with a phrase that captures the spirit of what they do, “Tricks, Hoops, Alley-Oops & A Whole Lot More!”
 
   The Wizards sense of camaraderie with the fans are what make them truly stand head and shoulders above the rest .  They have played over 5,000 games in both the United States and abroad.  Featuring some of the most accomplished entertainment basketball players in the world, with talents that range from amazing tricks and dribbling routines, dazzling dunks, and don’t forget the coordinated teamwork, skill and competitiveness, as they face a new team each night.

This is for real, it’s a show, but nothing is staged, unlike those other guys. Some opponents love the humor in the show, but there are others who try to go toe to toe with the Wizards, and want no part of being dunked on, messed with, ankles broken, shorts adjusted, and more.  The beauty of it is, the Wizards adjust to all levels of competition, and deliver an unforgettable and entertaining show…night after night!

The Harlem Wizards travel to high schools, colleges and universities, arenas, and even on stages, and more.  Their opponents range from teachers, parents and alumni to corporate CEO’s and local officials.

   The Wizards have also participated in many high profile charity events, hooping it up with stars like Def Jam Records Russell Simmons, TV stars Malcolm Jamal Warner and Luke Perry, sports commentator/writer Peter Vescey and WFAN on-air personality Chris "Mad Dog" Russo. 

   Throughout their history Wizard events have generated millions of dollars for non-profit and school organizations while uplifting and bonding communities.  The Wizards goal is to provide The community with fun and excitement. Many Organizations use the Wizards event as a unique and effective fundraiser, raising thousands of dollars.

In short the Harlem Wizards are a magic elixir of hope, caring, commitment and excitement for the communities they tour.  They engage their fans creating an everlasting bond with both the audience and opponents alike.  The result- one slamming show where the dunks don’t stop.

BACKGROUND

   The Wizards have been the playground for some of the NBA’s greatest legends.  Former Phoenix Sun Connie Hawkins, and former King & Celtic Nate “Tiny” Archibald both played with the Wizards. Hawthorne Wingo, a Knick favorite developed his pro game for four years with the Wizards. Other players like “Sudden Sam” Worthen, “Hollis Copeland,” and five sports hall of famers and over 20 NBA players have played with the Wizards. College greats and playground legends have also dotted the Wizards roster. Over 30 former or current Wizards were listed in Slam Magazines top street baller historical retrospective.

Third generation Wizard fans remember names like Lawrence “Magic Man” Gable “Puggy” Bell, “Showboat” Dumpson, “Pickles” Murphy, Larry “Butterfly Man” Cheatham and Bobby “Zorro” Hunter.

     In 1992 Howie Davis, the PT Barnum of basketball,  passed away.  Todd Davis stepped onto the court to continue the legacy his father had created.  The new Millennium has seen a Harlem Wizards team stronger then ever with a healthy combination of old crowd favorites and new young rising sensations.  Current Wizards showstopper Eric “Broadway” Jones is a former Harlem Globetrotter star and is a World Scholar Athlete.   Legendary street ball player James “Speedy” Williams was featured in the movie “Above the Rim”, Nike’s freestyle ad campaign as well as the 2001 MTV music awards with hip hop artist tycoon Jay-Z.  The makers of PlayStation 2 even made him a character in their newest basketball video game, NBA Street Hoops Volume 2.
    
     These players with the help of rookie sensations Rashaan “The Rocket” Barner, a William Paterson College All-American who electrifies crowds with his slam-dunks, and David “DP” Paul a Metro Player of the year at Staten Island College with contagious enthusiasm and court creativity, along with the world class show dribbler, Clarence “Mugsy” Leggett and Tommie “Swoopin” Starkes a USA Today Trick shooting champ with a Masters Degree to boot,  are helping carry the Wizards into the future.  Role models like “Tojo” Henderson and Tex Barnwell, continue to please older fans in their 6th and 5th decade of play, respectively. With this intoxicating blend of new school and old school players the Wizards keep the tradition of capturing the new-wave excitement of street ball with the artistry of basketball trickery.  Thus continuing their legacy of merging the best street hoops innovations with fundamental skills.
 
 Some of the Wizards’ other achievements include: