Basketball magic filled an Aberdeen school yesterday as stars of the Harlem Globetrotters dropped in to visit youngsters.
Buckets Blakes and towering Zeus McClurkin held a workshop with more than 100 budding basketball players at St Machar Academy, passing on tips and tricks as well as giving advice about healthy eating, ambition and promoting their anti-bullying campaign.
Young members of Grampian Flyers basketball team also joined in on the fun, as the tracksuit sporting athletes put them through their paces.
Second year pupil Emmanuel Foye said he was inspired by the American visitors.
The 13-year-old said: “It’s a good experience to know that there’s other people who work hard.
“It’s good to show us that so we can work hard in the future.”
Deputy head Jim Purdy added: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our kids to do a workshop like this with people as famous as them.
“The kids were all really excited about it last week when we told them it was happening.
“A lot of the younger ones had never heard of the Harlem Globe Trotters before so they were told to YouTube them over the weekend.”
And they certainly enjoyed themselves with laughter bouncing around the hall as much as the basketballs.
The visit followed the recent announcement the Harlem Globetrotters will be taking its 90th anniversary tour to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in May next year.
Jay Moir, 15, is a member of Grampian Flyers wheelchair team and said he enjoyed the inclusiveness of the session.
Grampian Flyers started 10 years ago, and now has more than 200 members.
“I just enjoy getting active,” Jay said.
“I love basketball, it’s mostly about getting out and being active and having good banter with your teammates. The whole experience is just great and I really enjoy it.”
Mr Blakes encouraged the youngsters to “be the best you, you can be”.
“It’s difficult to try to be someone else,” he told those in the hall.
“It’s very important that we get involved with the community everywhere we go.
“We try to impact the community as much as we can and give these kids something positive to think about, as well as influence them in a positive manner.”