Biography:Ant Atkinson’s first season with the Globetrotters was a whirlwind, but he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The camaraderie with the guys is one thing that really stood out,” Ant says. “We had great chemistry, and the veterans and coaches really made it easy for us rookies to learn quickly. They had the confidence to throw us in the fire, like putting us in the Magic Circle, Globetrotter Football, or letting me try the slide dribble. Since I had never played show basketball before, the tour was both a rewarding and humbling experience.”
A First Team All-American at Barton College, Ant will long be remembered for leading one of the greatest comebacks in the history of college basketball, scoring 10 points in the last 39 seconds (including a layup at the buzzer) of the Bulldogs’ heart-stopping 77-75 win over top-ranked Winona State in the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship game.
The rally became a YouTube sensation and gained even more notoriety as a runner-up in the Best Finish category at the 2007 ESPY Awards. The performance also is ranked second on the list of Best Storybook Endings (including all divisions, genders and sports) in the last 25 years by NCAA Champion Magazine.
Just over three months after that game, Ant was back in the spotlight, as the top pick in the Harlem Globetrotters’ inaugural player draft.
During his first tour, Ant was among the elite world athletes and celebrities at “ESPN The Weekend” at Walt Disney World, appeared on the hit Cartoon Network series “Fried Dynamite” and rubbed elbows with other stars of sports and entertainment.
Ant then truly lived the life of a Globetrotter, as he went overseas for the first time in his life, touring the South American countries of Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.
Born in Wilson, N.C., Ant is a fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers, and his hobbies include playing the drums and video games. Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics is his favorite basketball player because, “He’s smooth, and his jump shot is so pure.”
When Ant finished college, he knew he would continue his basketball career, “but the fact that it’s with the Harlem Globetrotters makes it that much better,” he explains. “This is the most fun a person can have playing basketball, and bringing smiles and entertainment to kids and families is unbelievable.”
