By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua certainly knows about putting on a show since he became the first Hispanic and the first non-black player to play for the Harlem Globetrotters in 52 years. He played in 48 countries during his seven years with the Globetrotters following his collegiate career at Pittsburgh and was nicknamed “Hurricane” because of his moves and quickness.

Question: How did it work out that you joined the Harlem Globetrotters and what was that experience like?”

Antigua: “My senior year was under Ralph Willard, a great guy. He had a lot of success at Western and then at Pitt where we were up and down because of a lot of injuries. When my year finished, I still needed 18 credits to graduate. I had the option to go overseas to play, but nothing was guaranteed. I decided to stay at school, finish up in the fall and get my degree. I had promised my mom I would get my degree. I knew if I went on and started playing that it would be a lot tougher for me to come back just knowing me. I was this close (to having a degree), so I just had hunker down and finish up.

“A week prior to finals I get a call from the Harlem Globetrotters. I said, ‘Are you sure you have the right guy. Are you sure you don’t want to talk to some guys who were more flamboyant?’ I played hard and was very enthusiastic, but not flamboyant. They said they were looking for a guy my size who could play multiple positions and had the same work ethic and that all the other stuff I could learn. They wanted me to come out for a minicamp, but it was during the week of finals. I said I appreciate the opportunity but I have finals and can’t make to Houston.

“The guy said he would check with the owner. He called back and said, ‘Concentrate on your studies and the owner appreciates that is what you are doing. We are going to start in Pittsburgh — and they start every year on Dec. 26 — and will be at Duquense University on Dec. 24.’ I was done with my last final on the 21st or 22nd. I hadn’t picked up a ball. I went and tried out. They invited me back in the morning of the Dec. 25 for another practice and I played my first game Dec. 26 in Pittsburgh.

“I became the first Latino/Hispanic every to play on the Globetrotters. Initially the thought for me is that I will do this until the summer. I will get a chance to be part of a great organization, be the first to ever do it and wait and see what happens in summer and get on a NBA summer league team and try my chances there. But the experience was such a good one, not only from the publicity and the travel, but from basketball. I was just having a lot of fun. I just kept doing it for seven years.

Question: What was the best part about being with the Globetrotters?

Antigua: “I got a chance to meet some unbelievable people. I traveled to 49 counties. It was just a wonderful experience.”

Question: You met Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson during your Globetrotter days and showed your skills on TV shows like David Letterman Show and Regis and Kathy Lee. But is it right that you rate meeting Nelson Mandela in South Africa as your greatest memory?

Antigua: “We got a chance to perform for him on his birthday. The Globetrotters were the first basketball organization to play in a free and democratic South Africa. As part of that exchange, we would bring over baskets and basketballs. The second year he requested for his birthday that he wanted us to perform for him and his children’s foundation that had about 3,000 or 4,000 different kids. That’s what we did on his birthday. It was a great experience.

Question: Could you still do a show today?

Antigua: “I may spin and dribble, but it won’t be that kind of dribble I used to do. I can still do some things with the basketball, but not the way I used to. But it’s like riding a bike. You never forget. Today some kids may know I was a Globetrotter, some may not. Again, it’s something unless they bring up, I don’t just do it.”

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