It’s my job to inspire a whole generation of kids
MARION McMULLEN discovers why Brawley “Cheese” Chisholm is the Harlem Globetrotter with a slam-dunk smile
How did you come by the nickname Cheese?
(LAUGHS) It’s not easy being cheesy. I got the name because of my smile. It’s part of my personality. I like to go and change people’s lives with a smile.
You travel all over the world with the Harlem Globetrotters. When did your love of basketball first begin?
WHEN I was six years old. My dad introduced me to the game and I fell in love with it there and then. I grew up in New York City, which is filled with a lot of things and temptations, and basketball kept me on the straight and narrow. I found everything I needed in basketball.
What was your first introduction to the Harlem Globetrotters?
WHEN I was younger I would watch them on TV on Scooby-Doo. The Harlem Globetrotters are definitely part of pop culture. Now it’s my job to inspire a whole generation of kids. There’s the history and the legacy of the team. You know what you are getting when you come to see the Harlem Globetrotters – great basketball and great showmanship.
You were a youngster yourself when you met boxing legend Muhammad Ali. What is your strongest memory of the encounter?
WHEN I was seven years old Muhammad Ali walked into my barber shop. He gave me an autograph and a kiss on the forehead. That’s something I will never forget. It was one of the most iconic moments of my life. To just see how humble he was, was great for me.
You are 6ft 2ins tall, which can be considered on the short side for a basketball player. Has it ever been a problem for you?
(LAUGHS) No, I had all the confidence in the world growing up. It’s not about the height, it’s about the skill when it comes to basketball. Hot Shot Swanson on our team is 4ft 5ins tall. He’s the smallest basketball player in the world and Hammer Harrison is our tallest player at 6ft 9ins. I train all the time and continue to live healthy. It all goes hand in hand and I try and stay at the top of my craft. We play around 300 games a year, which is more than NBA players. It’s a gruelling schedule, but fortunately I’ve not had any injuries or been hurt yet. When it comes to the tricks we perform, there is no secret. It’s just practice, practice, practice.
Do you clock up the air miles playing basketball?
THE Globetrotters have travelled to 120 countries around the world and I reckon I’ve been to 60 countries with them. People like to see basketball live. It’s global.
I like Europe just because of the passion of people for the sport. It’s a beautiful thing. And I’ve played in England at Wembley and the O2. (Laughs) I eat a lot at Nando’s when I’m in Britain.
Will you be travelling light for the UK leg of the world tour early next year?
(CHUCKLES) I’m taking my whole closet with me. I have two suitcases and a backpack. One suitcase is filled with clothes and the other has all my sports gear. I’ve lost a digital camera, a couple of watches, headphones ... on tour, but they are just material things. I still love every time I’m on the court. We tour five months of the year and will be heading out just after Christmas and will be coming to the UK in February. (Smiles) We are always someone’s Christmas present.
What can audiences expect from the Pushing The Limits tour?
WE’LL be doing the magic circle and – depending on the arena – the lights will go down and we have a glow in the dark basketball and do tricks in the middle of the arena. It’s the Pushing The Limits tour and that’s exactly what we will be doing. The Globetrotters are the holders of 21 current world records (Cheese and his teammate Ant Atkinson broke the Guinness
World Records title in 2016 for the most three pointers made, by an individual with a single ball, with 10 baskets made).
We will be attempting a new world record live at each game on tour.
What audiences do you get coming along to see you on the tour?
IT’S very diverse and a lot of fun. It can be everyone from six-year-olds to 80-year-olds. There are no rules. It’s all different ages, but it is the same impact. There is a lot of love and joy at a Globetrotters game. We are all about creating great memories.
The Harlem Globetrotters bring their Pushing The Limits 2020 World Tour to the Arena Birmingham on March 2. Go to BookingsDirect.com or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 249 2222.
There is a lot of love and joy at a Globetrotters game. We are all about creating great memories.
Cheese Chisholm, above