CLEVELAND — The legendary Harlem Globetrotters will once again take over the court at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
“We’re known for the dunks. We’re known for the four-point shot,” says Globetrotter Joey “Hot Rod” De La Rosa. “You just got to come to the game.”
De La Rosa is in town promoting the team’s World Tour. While in Cleveland, he made a visit to WKYC’s adopted school Harvey Rice Wraparound.
“I want to challenge you guys to be positive and always keep your education,” the Globetrotters’ showman tells a crowd of about 150 middle school students. “School is very, very important.”
The number one question kids at Harvey Rice had for De La Rosa is “how tall are you?” The answer is 7’ ft 1.”
The Bronx native is using his story to inspire students to stay positive and to believe in the height of their dreams.
“The Harlem Globetrotters came to my school when I was nine years old,” De La Rosa shares.
The Globetrotters’ iconic basketball moves ignited a passion for the game in the future St. John's Division 1 recruit. Now, the ball has been passed to De La Rosa to inspire the next generation.
“You guys could be doctors, lawyers,” De Le Rosa tells the crowd. “You guys could do whatever you want to do."
The message was well received.
“It was inspirational because I feel like if you put your mind to it, you could do it (achieve your dreams) like he did,” says Harvey Rice 8th Grader James Moore.
“I think that it (De La Rosa’s visit) made the school feel like kind of important because a lot of famous people and stuff don’t come here,” Sixth Grader Jahyla Triplett adds.
The Globetrotters take on their rivals, the Washington Generals, on December 28 in downtown Cleveland. Tickets are on sale now.
More Headlines on WKYC.com:
- WKYC Studios and Harvey Rice Wraparound renew partnership; school leadership aims to increase attendance rate
- WKYC Studios gives 250 backpacks filled with school supplies to Cleveland children during Buckeye Thrives Community Resource Fair
- Cleveland Reads campaign: Volunteers help students at Harvey Rice Wraparound School