Harlem Globetrotters plays on NAS Sigonella

SIGONELLA, ITALY

03.16.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Culbertson 

Naval Air Station Sigonella

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (March 16, 2023) - The Harlem Globetrotters returned to Naval Air Station Sigonella March 14, 2023 after a hiatus since Nov. 2019 due to COVID. This show marked the first of 11 shows across 10 bases in three separate countries on a Europe-based military appreciation tour.
Following the Europe tour, the Harlem Globetrotters will start a world tour of performing across the globe.
“We’re really excited to do this tour,” said Darnell “Speedy” Artis, of Philadelphia, guard for the Harlem Globetrotters. “Some of us have done this tour before, but for some of us, this is the first time. They’ll get a chance to see how unique this experience truly is. For guys like myself who have done this before, it gives us the chance to show our appreciation to the troops who are out here.”
Speedy joined the team in 2019, and has toured with the Globetrotters during their military base tours across Europe. One of the newest members of the team, Prince “Baller” Moss, of Bessemer, Ala., spoke about his experience to come and play at Sigonella.
“I joined the Globetrotters to travel the world, and this is my first time overseas,” said Moss. “I love Italy. The weather is so warm. I love it.”
The Globetrotters have a longstanding tradition of performing for service members and their families overseas.
“First and foremost, I want to stay thank you,” said Artis. “We appreciate everyone here, and what they’re doing for the country. I have family members in the military, and I’m sure most of us on the team have loved ones in the military. We get an opportunity to come over here, and bring a little piece of home out here to Italy, Germany, and every different base we go to. It’s an honor and I hope we’re able to give them what they’re waiting and hoping for.”
Moss and Artis want not just children of service members, but all children to know they can achieve anything they set their mind to.
“We want kids, young boys and girls to realize that they can accomplish anything they want to accomplish,” said Artis. “Whether it’s being a Harlem Globetrotter, joining the military, becoming a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, you can do whatever you want to as long as you put the work in and believe in yourself, and have confidence going forward.”
“My little sister wants to become a Globetrotter,” said Moss. “She tells me everyday that she looks up to me and she wishes to be a part of this and that’s special to me.”
Seeing the Globetrotters perform tricks, such as their basketball finger twirl, their high jumps, and their speed can be inspiring to those who witness it, and the players want to bring inspiration to their viewers.
“I’d like to think the way I inspire others is that I exude positive energy at all times,” said Artis. “That is the number one key. Being a Harlem Globetrotter, you come across people who are going through things that we may never have encountered. You never know what someone is going through. You can be that spark in someone’s life that can make someone see the next day differently than they saw the day before. Maybe they were down, but they saw your smile and your positive energy, heard your story, your trials, your tribulations, see your success, and it makes them feel like they can overcome anything.”
Before joining their team to start the game, Moss and Artis had one piece of advice.
“Don’t be so nervous,” said Artis. “You got this.”

• Date Taken: 03.16.2023
• Date Posted: 03.22.2023 04:38
• Story ID: 440531
• Location: SIGONELLA, IT
• Hometown: BESSEMER, AL, US
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US