Harlem Globetrotters Mark 10th Anniversary Of Draft With First-Ever Live Announcements On Twitter

Draft selections will be announced beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, June 20 via @Globies

News provided by

Jun 15, 2016, 08:43 ET

ATLANTA, June 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Harlem Globetrotter tradition will get a new twist this year, when for the first time ever the legendary team will conduct its popular annual player draft live via Twitter. The selection of the five new Harlem Globetrotter players will be announced in real time on the team's handle, @Globies, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, June 20.

It will mark the first time ever that the Globetrotters have announced their draft picks live. Fans can participate in the conversation using #GlobiesDraft

"Bringing our annual draft to fans through Twitter and social media is an incredible opportunity and demonstrates an exciting way of sharing one of our most anticipated events of the year," said Howard Smith, President of the Harlem Globetrotters. "With more than 1 million followers across our different social channels, this event will include fans in a real-time draft experience designed to reveal the next wave of potential Globetrotters."

Past draftees have included future Globetrotters, as well as high-profile celebrity sports figures who embody what the Harlem Globetrotters are all about – fun, entertaining family-friendly basketball.

Four current team members came to the roster as draft picks: Ant Atkinson (2007), Bull Bullard (2008), Firefly Fisher (2008), and Thunder Law (2013). In addition, through the years, seven former Globetrotter players were team draft picks. Celebrity draft picks have included: Mo'ne Davis (2015), Mariano Rivera (2013), Usain Bolt (2012), Lionel Messi (2011), Tim Howard (2009), and Patrick Ewing, Jr. (2008).

About the Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 90 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 122 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. Sponsored by World Vision, Greyhound Lines and Baden Sports, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters' official Web site: www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter @Globies.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160615/379535LOGO

SOURCE Harlem Globetrotters