Globetrotters awe Mizzou Arena fans

As soon as an opposing player missed a free throw, Kevin “Special K” Daley of the Harlem Globetrotters was there to point and laugh in his face.

Laughing hysterically, he yanked down the pants of one shooter and sprinted to the half court line. To the delight of the crowd, the victimized player chased after Daley and forcefully pulled down his shorts, revealing an identical pair underneath.

Along with the antics, Daley continued the Harlem Globetrotter tradition of supplying the fans with dazzling passes and spectacular dunks that drew “oohs” and “ahs” from the crowd.

Daley was the only player Thursday night at Mizzou Arena with a microphone attached to his jersey. This instantly made him the center of attention at the World of Fun Tour.

He chased a teammate and a fan with a bucket of water, took shots at the wrong basket and there wasn’t any shortage of over-the-top gags for the adoring fans. He even told the ref to “come get the ball”, then yanked the ball away while imitating a matador and shouting “ole!”

Daley did it all without losing his breath.

“Talking on a microphone and playing at the same time was more difficult to me when I first started,” Daley said.

“I kind of got used to it. You just need to know how to breathe and talk with the microphone. With as much running as we do, I should be running hard, but you don’t hear it in my voice.”

Although Daley is a fan favorite at Globetrotter games, he remains

modest.

“I’m nothing, myself,” he said. “It’s the Globetrotter name that’s why all of these people want my autograph. It’s not really just my name.”

A sports traveler

Daley grew up idolizing Globetrotters coach Charles “Tex” Harrison, and has watched them since childhood. He described his spot on the team as “a dream” and “surreal.”

“Being a globetrotter is the best thing that happened to me since my family,” Daley said. “To continue to play basketball everyday and make it a career and have as much fun at the same time is a blessing.”

Daley’s career started at UCLA, where he played from 1996 to 1998. He transferred to Azusa Pacific, where he led the school to the NAIA final four as a senior. He ranked in the top 10 of almost every statistical category and earned Golden State Athleteic Conference MVP honors.

“I’m a basketball player first,” Daley said. “We are all basketball players first. We just happen to be able to entertain all of these people.”