Harlem Globetrotter "Hot Shot" Aundre Branch dribbles his way into Samsula Academy

Courtesy photos / Volusia Cty. Gov't / Michelle Coats. "Hot Shot" Aundre Branch of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters visits Samsula Academy in Samula on Monday. At left, fourth-grader Donnie Padgitt with Hot Shot. At right, children see some of Hot Shot's cool basketball-handling tricks.

SAMSULA -- Fourth-grader Donnie Padgitt was among the many children at Samsula Academy on Monday to receive a fast-break visit from "Hot Shot: Aundre Branch, a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

The Globetrotters' Hot Shot Branch visited the charter school to speak with second- through fifth-graders about the team’s “C.H.E.E.R.™ For Character” program, which was designed with assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.

 Courtesy photos / Volusia Cty. Gov't/  Michelle Coats.  Above, Hot Shot talks to Samsula Academy Children. At left, first-grader Chris Runestad shows his own ball-handling skills.

Globetrotters coming to Ocean Center

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing a new show and 2010 “Magical Memories” Tour to the Volusia County Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.

The Globetrotters will be at the Ocean Center, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23.

The tour represents the Globetrotters’ 84th consecutive season of world tours and will include 270 shows in more than 200 cities through May.

Tickets are on sale now, including two new family four-pack offers. Family four-packs are $96 (valid for $30 level seats) and $72 (valid for $22 level seats). Details are available at http://oceancenter.com/globetrottersoffer.htm.

Individual tickets start at $17, plus applicable service charges, and may be purchased at the Ocean Center box office in advance or day of show, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office accepts cash, Visa and MasterCard. Individual ticket information also is online at www.harlemglobetrotters.com

FAST FACTS

"Hot Shot" Aundre Branch

Position: G

Date of Birth: 09/30/1973

Height/Weight: 6' 4" 205 lbs

College: Baylor University (Texas) '95

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Biography: Hot Shot Aundre Branch is in his sixth season with the Globetrotters. A two-time, second-team all-conference selection at Baylor, Hot Shot is the sixth leading scorer in school history. He holds the Baylor record for three-pointers made in a career (267) and is second on the school’s all-time list for 3-pointers made in one season (104). He graduated with a degree in Communications.

Hot Shot recalls a special moment as a Globetrotter before a game in Waco, Texas. There was a young boy in attendance who was very ill, and Hot Shot reached out to him before the game and played with him for a while. Two days later, the boy passed away, but Hot Shot was glad he could make the boy smile during his final days.

Some may be surprised to know that Hot Shot is a self-taught DJ. He has always had an ear for music, and when listening to other DJs, he is often thinking about what song would be a great one to come next. He has his own equipment and has been a DJ at weddings, dances, restaurant openings and other events in his hometown of Houston. He would love to try his hand at being a DJ on the radio sometime.

Hot Shot looks to his father and grandfather for guidance and inspiration and is involved with a community project called the Project Hoops Basketball Organization. He is also interested in becoming a probation officer following his playing career.

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater, and comedy. Created by Abe Saperstein in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name Harlem because of its connotations as a major African-American community. Over the years they have played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries. Brother Bones's whistled version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" is the team's signature song. Globie has been their mascot since 1993.

The Globetrotters' acts often feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusual, difficult shots.

Among the players who have been Globetrotters are NBA greats Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain, Connie "The Hawk" Hawkins, Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, as well as Marques Haynes, George "Meadowlark" Lemon, Jerome James, former Temple coach John Chaney, Reece "Goose" Tatum and Hubert "Geese" Ausbie.

Another popular team member in the 1970s and 1980s was Fred "Curly" Neal who was the best dribbler of that era of the team's history and was immediately recognizable due to his shaven head. Baseball Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins also played for the team at one time or another.

In 1985, the Globetrotters signed their first female player, Olympic gold medalist Lynette Woodard, and their second, Joyce Walker, just three weeks later.

In 1995, Orlando Antigua became the first Hispanic and the first non-black on the Globetrotters' roster since Bob Karstens played with the squad in 1942-43.