Photos: Harlem Globetrotters bring World Tour to BMO Center in Rockford

January 5, 2023|By Kevin Haas|In 815 News, Rockford, Trending, Sports
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Harlem Globetrotters brought their World Tour to the BMO Center in downtown on Thursday, dazzling the crowd with their trademark mix of trick shots, dunks and antics between the baskets.

The iconic exhibition basketball team makes an annual trip to the city.

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Here’s a look at some of the images from Thursday’s game, including a few shot by Globetrotter “Hot Shot” Swanson, who briefly took hold of our camera to do his own photography.

Harlem Globetrotter “Baller” Moss jumps over Tim Medina on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Dazzle” Kidon of the Harlem Globetrotters performs Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Ace” Porter drives to the basket for a layup on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Amelia Gustafson, 10, spins the basketball after getting help from “Dazzle” Kidon of the Harlem Globetrotters on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Wham” Middleton dribbles up the court on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Diesel” Kirkendoll dunks after a pass from “Wham” Middleton on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Harlem Globetrotter “Moose” Weekes gestures to the crowd on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Diesel” Kirkendoll dunks on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Hammer” Harrison makes his entrance on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Harlem Globetrotter “Baller” Moss waves to the crowd after a dunk on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Hot Shot” Swanson dunks (after a lift from teammates) on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Dazzle Globetrotters
“Dazzle” Kidon of the Harlem Globetrotters performs Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Wham” Middleton slides down the court on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Hammer” Harrison places a fan’s shoe back on his foot a la Cinderella on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, during the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
In an unorthodox move, “Hammer” Harrison removes an official’s underwear after giving him a wedgie and then displays the underpants to the crowd at the BMO Center in Rockford. Harrison was not even given a technical foul for what must be some sort of rule violation. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Harlem Globetrotter “Hot Shot” Swanson does a back flip after his introduction on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Hammer” Harrison leads the Harlem Globetrotters onto the court on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
“Wham” Middleton hypes up the crowd on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Harlem Globetrotter “Hot Shot” Swanson grabbed our camera to capture this photo of fans on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by “Hot Shot” Swanson/Harlem Globetrotters)
“Baller” Moss poses for a photo shot by “Hot Shot” Swanson on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by “Hot Shot” Swanson/Harlem Globetrotters)
Globie, the Harlem Globetrotters mascot, enters the BMO Center on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
VIP fans take part in pre-game warmups on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

 

VIP fans take part in pre-game warmups on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the Harlem Globetrotters game at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Harlem Globetrotter “Hot Shot” Swanson grabbed our camera to capture this photo of fans on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by “Hot Shot” Swanson/Harlem Globetrotters)
The Washington Generals prepare for their game against the Harlem Globetrotters on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
The Harlem Globetrotters warm up for their game Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

This photo gallery is by Kevin Haas, with an assist from “Hot Shot” Swanson. Email Haas at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.