By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

The Harlem Wizards, a team of talented basketball-playing performers, brought lots of silliness and entertainment to town last Saturday during an event benefitting the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Historically, the Wizards focus on fundraising events for non-profits and school organizations, and they have been doing it since 1962, according to the organization’s published history.

Their show is similar to the famous Harlem Globetrotters, a world-famous team of talented players that show off amazing tricks on the court while bringing joy to their audiences.

At the Unionville High School gym, the Wizards put on their show and delighted the attendees while a large portion of the proceeds from the show benefitted the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation.

Unionville has been hosting the Wizards for several years, and each year they bring crowds to the gym not only for their playing and shooting skills, but for numerous games and crowd-pleasers that include the families -- many of them with young children.

Spectators gladly spent up to $60 for court-side tickets, while they also purchased numerous souvenirs like balls and T-shirts for their children to enjoy.

The Wizards --with names like “Big J,” “The Giant,” “Road Runner” “Air Time,” “Jumping Jack” and “Sarge” – took to the courts with warmups that included the kids whose parents had purchased them Wizards T-shirts.

Wizards MC “U-GoBoy” urged the kids to join in with races, hand-slapping love lines and ball rebounding games before the actual game. Each child’s name was announced to the crowd.

When time rolled around for the game, the Wizards faced off against a team called “The Home Team,” which was comprised of Unionville students and faculty.

It was no regular basketball game.

The Wizards engaged the audience members in the fun and even rolled around on the floor with stunts.

They followed the game with on-site dancing, which the crowd loved.

Aneesha Dhargalkar, secretary of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation, said the Wizards have been coming to the school for several years and are a big contributor to the foundation’s efforts. When she was asked about the work of the foundation, she said they recently helped fund an outdoor education facility and staff for one of the elementary schools.

The Wizards have toured internationally and performed in a wide variety of venues, including the legendary Madison Square Garden. Some of their team members have included NBA greats like John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Elvin Hayes, and Kobe Bryant during the Harlem Wizards’ storied and magical history.