T-Time Brawner is one of very few female basketball players to play with the notorious Harlem Globetrotters. A native of Oakland California, she has joined Mighty Mitchell as the 10th and 11th females to ever play with the team. The 5'6" guard will be playing on her hometown turf when she comes to the Santa Rosa Junior College in January. She took a time out to answer qestions from Examiner readers:
Q: How is training for a Globetrotter basketball game different from a regular basketball game?
A: Most things are typical protocol for our training; We shoot around, work on our ball handling, scrimmage, run drills, etc. We do, however, add our Globetrotter-entertainment style to what we do. So when training we work really long and hard at perfecting our craft. We work on being innovative with the ball, mastering tricks and trick shots, and anything else that could possibly put a smile on our fans face. Also, when training for a Globetrotter game we always practice our 4-point shooting which is a shot that is 12 feet beyond the NBA 3-point line.
Q: Is there an off season or do you play all year?
A: We most certainly have time off but we play throughout the course of the entire year. From Dec. 26th until about the middle of April we are on our US tour. After that most games and tours are played internationally. In fact, I recently had the pleasure of playing for our troops overseas in countries such as Afghanastan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Djibouti. This tour was very special to me because I had the opportunity to bring a piece of home to our troops who couldn't be with their families for the holiday season. This tour was not only special to me but it was historic for the Globetrotter organization. Prior to the military tour the Globetrotters had made its mark on 120 countries & territories. Our visit and play in Afghanistan raised that number to 121.
Q: What percentage of the show is improvisation versus spontaneous?
A: Basketball in general is very improvised. Sure you have plays but everything is usually read and react. Our shows are the same way. We are out there having fun and we just let it flow. When the fans see we are having a blast, it becomes contagious. The next thing we know, the whole gym is lit up with smiles!
Q: What is it like being a female on a male dominated team?
A: I hardly notice it most of the time. I think I'm only reminded of it when I need my eyebrows done and I have no one to accompany me. Other than that it's a ton of fun. They most certainly push me to better on the court and off the court they are just like brothers to me.
Q: What is your favorite trick?
A: It's so hard to just pick one! If I had to choose one I would say taking the ball and spinning it on someone else's finger. It's always a jaw-dropper!
Q: What advice would you give young female basketball players?
A: I would tell them to challenge the status quo. Don't ever look at what hasn't yet been done and think you can't do it. Set the bar, set the tone, and open doors for those who come behind you! Lynette Woodard challenged the status quo in 1985 becoming the 1st female ever to play on a men's professional basketball team. So my words of advice would be that anything is possible as long as you believe; it doesn't matter what others believe. I always say don't tell me to shoot for the stars when there are footprints on the moon.
You can see T-Time play in the 2013 "You Write the Rules" World Tour on January 16 at the Santa Rosa Junior College Haehl Pavilion. Go online with the kids to the tour site and vote on the ground-breaking rule you would like to see at the game. The rule the fans select may affect the outcome of the game! The game starts at 7 pm. Fans also have the option to purchase an additional experienced called “Magic Pass” that starts at 5:30 p.m. for an interactive family experience with the players before the game. Magic Pass allows your family to have the opportunities for one-on-one time with the players, shooting and working on tricks. Tickets start at $28 (Magic Pass is extra) and can be purchased online, at the Haehl Pavilion Box office, or by calling 866-777-8932.
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