Freedom New Mexico photo: Karl Terry Hailey McGill, right, a houseparent’s daughter at New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, tries to catch on to the secret of spinning a basketball on your finger as demonstrated by Herbert “Moo Moo” Evans of the Harlem Globetrotters.
By Karl Terry: Freedom New Mexico
The Harlem Globetrotters, who have been thrilling basketball fans with their antics and ball-handling ability for decades, will hit the court Monday at Greyhound Arena in Portales.
Freedom New Mexico put the full-court press on one of four Globetrotters players known as Advance Ambassadors after a game of pickup basketball with the children Tuesday at the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home. Here is a profile and interview with Globetrotter Herbert “Moo Moo” Evans.
Name: Herbert “Moo Moo” Evans
Age: 25
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
Time with ‘Trotters: Third season
Previously played: Troy University in Troy Ala.
• What it’s like to be a Globetrotter: Evans said the traveling and schedule he keeps is tough but he likes it. As an Advance Ambassador he gets to visit schools, children’s homes and hospitals, which he said is the most rewarding part of his job.
“I’m livin’ a dream,” Evans said. “I get to work with kids and play basketball every day.”
• The Globetrotters’ mission: “Basically it’s to put smiles on people’s faces,” Evans said. “That’s why we’ve lasted so long.”
• What the attraction is to a Globetrotter performance: Evans said that besides being so family oriented, the show is something that is shared and passed down through the generations. Parents saw the Globetrotters when they were young and they want their children to see them, too.
“Everybody wants to experience the Globetrotters at least once in their lifetime,” Evans said.
• Why the Globetrotters win and whether the games are rigged: “It’s not rigged because we lose sometimes,” Evans said.
He quickly points out that that doesn’t happen often. He credits the incredibly talented basketball players he gets to take the court with for the Globetrotters’ winning ways. He said playing together so much and getting used to each other on the court is a big key.
• On his favorite part of a show and the all-time crowd favorite gag: “Dunking, that’s my favorite thing,” Evans said. “Everybody loves it when they see little ol’ me dunk.” (Evans is 6 foot, 3 inches).
Evans said people love the show in general but the water and confetti bucket routine is the crowd favorite of all time. In the routine someone gets chased by a player with what appears to be a bucket of water. The bucket man misses his intended target and showers the spectators with confetti instead of water.
• On the advice he offers young people: Evans said he tells young people to stay in school and get an education. He said he also advised them to have a good attitude about whatever they do.
What: Harlem Globetrotters
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Box office opens 5:30 p.m., Gates open 6 p.m.
Where: Greyhound Arena, Portales
Tickets: $20 general admission, children under 2 free
