First female Harlem Globetrotter in 20 years makes team

NEWARK — It has been 20 years since a woman graced the basketball court along side her male teammates as part of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters.

TNT Maddox is the ninth woman overall to play for the team in its 87 year history. She will hit the courts in Newark and East Rutherford this coming weekend.

"I am really honored to be here," Maddox said in a phone interview. "It's been a really fun ride so far."

This is the first in a series of articles that will run featuring women playing in men's sports.

Maddox began playing basketball at the age of 13 and fell in love with the sport.

"I always wanted to be a professional basketball player — I wasn’t sure where," said Maddox. "The Globetrotters were probably the last thing on my mind. I never even knew women were allowed to be globetrotters, so I was really surprised when I got the call to try out."

Trying out amongst four other women and 20 men, Maddox was drafted to the team last year.

"The reception from the women and even men and young boys has been phenomenal — very positive," said Maddox. "I haven’t gotten any negative feedback. So for me to get out there and show younger women and young girls that we can do anything we put our minds to. Its been really an honor."

Globetrotters are known for there over the top tricks, but learning the skills takes time.

"When I went to the training camp I didn’t know any of (the moves)," Maddox said. "The camp gave me the foundation and it was up to myself to work on that craft and different moves."

Maddox now has a grasp on the basics but she says the hardest part comes after that. Once she learns a move, other players will show her how to crank it up a notch. Such as with spinning the ball on a finger. To make it more difficult Maddox is trying to learn to spin the ball on her head or nose.

On the road for about five months straight, the Globetrotters play a different state or country every day. To ensure a great show, Maddox and her teammates practice two hours before each game. With about 150 games a season that averages to about 300 hours of practice.

Being one of the few women to sport a Globetrotter jersey, Maddox says she tries to serve as a role model to young women.

"I’ve had a lot of parents come up to me and little girls saying I inspire them to chase their own dreams," Maddox said. "At the end of the day that’s what I want to do. That’s really rewarding for me to hear that kind of stuff."

With more and more female athletes stepping into male sports, Maddox is feeling inspired.

"I think the female athlete is progressing in a pretty high rate," Maddox said. "I think it's good people can do things they like to do. Whether it's sports or whether it's music, it doesn’t matter what it is. People should be allowed to pursue their passion. I am happy to see that more people are allowed to do that."