Trotters Teach Area Kids About Basketball, Life

THESE HARLEM Globetrotters don't just show up for cameos and a few autographs. They're at their camp every day, teaching kids the basics of their sport and more.

It didn't take much. Just a dash of razzle-dazzle, a touch of dribbling magic, a no-look pass and a can't-miss shot, and the Harlem Globetrotters had captured the imaginations of 25 energetic youngsters.

Four members of the Globetrotters, one of the world's best-known basketball institutions, are conducting a weeklong basketball camp for Seattle kids, ages 6 to 14. They began yesterday morning's session with a free-wheeling snippet of their "Sweet Georgia Brown" routine, brightening the kids' faces as well as the drab gym at the old National Guard armory near Magnolia.

"We're letting the kids have a chance to meet the Globetrotters one on one," said Reggie Dixon, a 10-year Trotter who has played more than 1,600 games with the legendary troupe. Joining him are a couple of four-year veterans, Michael Wilson and James "Jumbo" Bacon, and a first-year Trotter, Mel "MC" Adams."

"You have four star players here right now," said Bacon, who played at Arizona State. "We're not hiring coaches and showing up every couple days. We're here all day."

That's what makes this camp special. The four Trotters don't hire others to do the instructing, then drop by for cameos and autographs. They do everything from signing in each youngster to detailed instruction on not only basketball but life.

"We don't teach them tricks," Dixon said. "We'll show them some on the last day to have fun, but we teach the basics of basketball along with a classroom session on the game of life. We show them a film. We talk about staying out of gangs, staying in school and off drugs."

The Globetrotters conducted three of these camps around the country last year and have expanded to 13 this year, with Seattle added to the list. Next year the group hopes to have camps in 25 cities.

"We're showing the kids we are here, we're accessible," Bacon said.

The camp, underwritten by Denny's restaurants and Reebok, was not as well attended as in other cities. Kids can still sign up for the morning or afternoon sessions. Some spots are reserved for disadvantaged youngsters.

"All these kids need is a dream," Dixon said, "not a dream to be a millionaire but to be successful at whatever they do."