It almost seems like the premise for a feature film: a North Philadelphia kid plays basketball for a Division III university and earns a spot with the larger-than-life Harlem Globetrotters.

For Mark Blount, a 2015 graduate of Neumann University, this is his new reality, and he still pinches himself daily to make sure it’s not a dream.

For the past six years, Blount played for the Globetrotters’ opponents, the All-Stars (formerly the Washington Generals).

On June 6, 2021, he was promoted to the Globetrotter roster, joining a list of legendary players like Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal, and Wilt Chamberlain, who have played for the team.

“I honestly didn’t believe it,” Blount said. “I used to pray for this, and now I wear the red, white, and blue. My mom cried when she found out.”

The Harlem Globetrotters are worldwide icons, blending exceptional basketball skills with comedy and family entertainment. Founded in 1926, they have entertained more than 148 million fans in 123 countries and territories, introducing many to the sport of basketball. 

From July to September, Blount and the team performed in England. His schedule included two games a day from Tuesday through Sunday. The Globetrotters are well known abroad, and all their performances in Britain sold out.

“We practice and work out every day. As a basketball player, we have to make sure we’re in tip-top shape,” he said. “I plan to stay around for as long as I can. This is our 95th year and I want to stick around for the 100th year celebrations.”

Blount is now back in the States, enjoying a break in the Globetrotter schedule until December. He’s looking forward to seeing his family and friends in Philadelphia and plans on attending Neumann’s homecoming celebration in October.

For a kid who grew up in the inner city and fell in love with basketball at an early age, Blount is truly living his dream. But he never takes his position for granted.

“For us, it goes way deeper than just basketball,” he explains. “We’re creating memories for our fans.”

Find out more about Neumann University.