Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans-among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents-over more than eight thrilling decades.
The Globetrotters will be at EnergySolutions Arena Monday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20 - $130. For more ticket information, go to:
http://smithstix.com/events/search?ondate=2012-2-13.
One of the Globetrotters, Buckets came on Good Things Utah Monday with a few "tricks" up his sleeve.
Buckets Blakes was born and raised in Phoenix and still lives in the Valley of the Sun, and his first
exposure to basketball was watching the Phoenix Suns at the age of five. To make his own hoop, he
would cut a hole in the top of his dad’s hat, flip it over and shoot a tennis ball through it. Buckets says
Date of Birth: Dec. 6, 1976
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
College: University of Wyoming ‘00
former Suns star Kevin Johnson was a large influence on him. “He wasn’t that big but he made a huge
impact on the game.” Buckets makes a huge impact of his own each night by filling up the nets with 4-
point shots.
Buckets is very close friends with Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby, who also grew up and played high
school ball in Phoenix. Buckets is linked to Dallas Mavericks star Jason Kidd too; they share the
Guinness World Record for sinking two underhanded half-court shots in one minute.
His parents are his heroes, because they always involved him and his nine siblings in positive
things. Buckets was not only an outstanding basketball player growing up, but he also lettered in track
and football in high school. As his basketball talents grew, his high school coach, Michael Ellsworth,
showed him that hard work pays off on and off the court.
He took that work ethic to Arizona Western College, where he earned an associate’s degree, and then
to the University of Wyoming, where he was team captain and MVP his junior and senior seasons,
leading the team in rebounding, assists, and steals as a junior. As a senior, Buckets was one of only
two Mountain West Conference players to finish in the top 15 in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
Buckets is now working to complete his bachelor’s degree online at Ashford University, as teammate
Special K Daley has done.
Now in his tenth season with the Globetrotters, Buckets enjoys working with and mentoring kids, so he
relishes the opportunities he’s had to present the Globetrotters’ widely popular “C.H.E.E.R.™ For
Character” program around the world. He sees himself running his own gym and helping kids build
character and self-esteem through sports mentoring following his playing days. He encourages
youngsters to, “be the best ‘you’ that you can be, because it’s very difficult to try and be someone
else.”
An avid watch collector, his travels take Buckets to many different places, but when he’s at home, one
thing is always the same: “I can’t fall asleep at night unless I have a bowl of cereal before bed,” he
says.
