Globetrotters Say Their Woman Player Would Open Some Eyes in Middle East

When the Harlem Globetrotters begin their world basketball tour next season, there will be at least one woman among them. But all of the historic adjustments won’t necessarily be in locker room accommodations.

Negotiations are under way with several nations in the Middle East to allow women to play with the team, Globetrotter spokeswoman Yrene Asalde said.

“In some of those countries, women aren’t allowed to even sit on the same bench as men, let alone play with them,” Asalde said. “Our having a woman player is going to really break ground in women’s rights.”

Asalde said negotiations with such nations as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Quatar are “going well” thus far. “We are insisting that our women play, and they still want us to play there,” she added.

Meanwhile, the search for the first female Globetrotter is under way with 30 players receiving bids to an invitation-only tryout camp in Charlotte, N.C.

“We are looking for women who are good outside shooters, have good ball-handling skills, and who have a flair for comedy,” Asalde said.

At the conclusion of the July 14-17 tryout camp in Charlotte, “six or eight” players will be chosen to attend the regular preseason Globetrotter camp at Los Angeles, Asalde said.