Harlem Globetrotters pay visit to Hoops Family Children’s Hospital

More than a dozen children were wide-eyed and amazed when two tall guys with basketballs stopped by to make their hospital stay a little more enjoyable.

Luna McClanahan, a three-year-old patient with leukemia, shows off her new wristband given to her by Harlem Globetrotters, “Crash” and “Too Tall,” during their visit to the children’s hospital on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Although the Harlem Globetrotters were unknown to some, players Lucius “Too Tall” Winston and Randy “Crash” McClure changed all of that when they performed classic ball tricks, passed out branded wristbands, signed autographs and laughed along with pediatric patients during their visit on Wednesday, March 27.

Both players made sure each child at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital felt special.

Hoops Family Children's Hospital staff with "Crash" and "Too Tall" of the Harlem Globetrotters.

“Finding a way outside of basketball to give inspiration and bring joy is one of our favorite parts of being a Globetrotter,” said Crash. “Watching a child’s face light up with a smile while they dribble or spin the ball on one finger is what makes it all worth it.”

For 98 years, the Harlem Globetrotters have been called “Ambassadors of Goodwill,” where they visit schools and hospitals around the country, bringing smiles and laughter everywhere they go. For player “Too Tall,” this is what it’s all about.

“Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of athletes as role models that entered my life and inspired me to pursue something like this,” said ‘Too Tall.’ “I hope that when we visit schools and hospitals, and kids have a chance to interact with us and see what we do, they will feel inspired to dream big.”

Hoops Family Children’s Hospital patient Ashton Maynard, age 17, spins two basketballs with the assistance of Harlem Globetrotters, “Crash” and “Too Tall,” during their visit to the children’s hospital on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

During each visit, both players took time to spin the basketball while instructing the young patient to hold up an index finger so they could transfer the spinning ball to each tiny finger. Melanie Akers, Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services for Marshall Health Network, said the players spent the afternoon interacting with patients, getting down on their level and talking with them about their hopes and dreams.

“We cannot thank the Harlem Globetrotters enough for the time they dedicated to brightening the lives of our pediatric patients,” Akers said. “Many of our children would not have had the opportunity to see them in person, and so for the Globetrotters to provide an entertaining, yet heartfelt experience means the world to our families.”

Following their visit to Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, the Globetrotters performed the same tricks shown to patients during their 2024 World Tour at the Marshall Health Network Arena.