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Harlem Globetrotters announce Topeka-bound tour on 'GMA'

'Good Morning America' anchor Roberts named an honorary Globetrotter

Bill Blankenship
In celebration of 90 years of providing smiles, sportsmanship and service to millions of people worldwide, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters named TV personality Robin Roberts the 10th Honorary Harlem Globetrotter in team history, launched their new community outreach program, The Great Assist, and announced that tickets are on sale for their 90th year of touring the world, including a Jan. 22 stop in Topeka in the Kansas Expocentre's Landon Arena.

When the Harlem Globetrotters bring their 90th anniversary world tour to Topeka in January, they want to leave behind something more than memories of their comedy-laden, ball-handling wizardry on the basketball court of Landon Arena in the Kansas Expocentre.

On Tuesday, the Globetrotters announced their The Great Assist program through which stars of the team will leave a mark in communities across North America with acts of good will during the tour, which is set to play more than 330 games in 260 cities, including Topeka where tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. Jan. 22.

Tickets are on sale now in person at the Expocentre box office or through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $79.50 for courtside VIP seats to $48.50, $38.50, $31.50 and $24.50 for elsewhere in the arena.

Topeka fans are encouraged to visit www.GreatAssist.com, the announcement said, “to nominate a worthwhile cause or a deserving family in need of a smile, and the Globetrotters will help as many fans as possible throughout the tour.”

In addition to fan requests, the team also plans to bring its bullying prevention program to more than 400 schools and community centers, talk to youth about character education and physical fitness, visit children’s hospitals and lend a hand to those in need.

On the court, the Globetrotters’ 90-year celebration will, the team said, “feature some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet.” The star-studded roster, which will vary from game to game, includes Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkison, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm, plus female stars TNT Maddox and Sweet J Ekworomadu.

After entertaining the crowd with their ball handling, dunks, trick shots, fan interaction and comedy, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

The Globetrotters launched The Great Assist before a national television audience Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The Globetrotters performed before fans in New York City’s Times Square, where they named show anchor Robin Roberts as just the 10th honorary Harlem Globetrotter in history. Roberts joins an elite list of honorees that includes Pope Francis, who was honored by the Globetrotters at the Vatican in May, as well as Henry Kissinger (1976), Bob Hope (1977) and Nelson Mandela (1996).

The accolade recognizes an individual of extraordinary character and achievement who has made an everlasting mark on the world, the Globetrotters said. Roberts, an award-winning journalist, has provided inspiration for millions as she has publicly battled breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Roberts is an inductee of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and is in the Top 10 in five career statistical categories at her alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University, where her No. 21 jersey is retired.