Zeus McClurkin, a 6-foot-8 forward with the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, visited Madonna’s Lincoln Campus recently sharing basketball tricks and encouragement with patients and their families. The Globetrotters, a world-famous exhibition basketball team established nearly 100 years ago, have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 123 countries, delighting fans around the globe. When they returned to the Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena as part of their Fan Powered World Tour, the fan favorite McClurkin made sure to carve out time for a stop at Madonna.
The talented athlete values his community outreach for the team and his signature “ball on the finger spin” never fails to get a smile. Visiting hospitals is part of the Globetrotters Smile Patrol program – designed to brighten the day and lift spirits of fans unable to attend a game. Smile Patrol visits over 150 children’s hospitals worldwide annually, spreading joy and creating memories. The Globetrotters are pledging to spread 100 million smiles around the world over the next 10 years with acts of kindness.
Madonna often engages with community partners, including local and national sports teams like the Globetrotters, to bring cheer to patients and families. Seeing patients’ eyes light up and their smiles reach ear to ear is an incredibly rewarding experience for our patients and staff. Ron, who is recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, thoroughly enjoyed Zeus’ visit. “He was wonderful and I got to spin the ball!”