Harlem Globetrotter Teaches Students Importance of Staying Active

There was tons of cheers, shouts and laughter as Lincoln Leopards watched in amazement as Harlem Globetrotter Kenny ‘Blenda’ Rodriguez spun a basketball ball on his fingertip, rolled it around his back and demonstrated some other fancy techniques.

The basketball star visited Monday to reach out to the students about the importance of staying active, going for their goals to believe in themselves. The fourth and fifth graders got a real lesson in the history of the Harlem Globetrotters and what it takes to be one.

Rodriguez, a local guy who went to Bergen Community College in nearby Paramus, shared his tale of how he was chosen to be on this special team which travels all over the world.

As ‘Blenda’ spoke, he’d spin the ball around, toss it around in the famous way only a Harlem Globetrotter could do. When he asked for a volunteer for a demonstration every single hand shot right up. The students had some fun taking part in some exercises where they got to toss the ball around and cheer their classmates on.  

“If you believe in yourself you can achieve any goal you want in life,” Rodriguez told the students.  Staying active for at least 60 minutes a day is important in helping them achieve their goals, as is eating healthy and getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.

He told the students if they want to learn more about basketball and the Harlem Globe Trotters, he and two other teammates will host a three-day basketball clinic right in the area at on July 16, 17 and 18. 

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