Globetrotters dribble into Bangor> `Sweet’ Lou Dunbar’s crew should make area hoop fans’ mouths water

BANGOR – “Sweet” Lou Dunbar, the center-coach of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, and the rest of his teammates will be appearing at the Bangor Auditorium Tuesday.

Dunbar averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds a game his high school senior year on the way to a Louisiana state championship and being named Mr. Basketball of Louisiana.

Playing seriously since age 10, Dunbar was a 6-foot-10 center with the ball-handling and outside shooting skills of a guard by high school. His deadly game won him a spot with the University of Houston Cougars, where he was voted an NCAA Division I All-American.

Dunbar was discovered by a Globetrotter scout while playing with the NBA’s Houston Rockets in a summer pro league.

His 22 years of experience as a Globetrotter have been filled with travel.

“We are on the road six to eight months out of the year. And I would have to say my favorite place to visit is Australia,” Dunbar said. “It’s winter here and summer there. I’m from Louisiana and Texas, I like it hot.”

A relentless showman with amazing ball-handling skills, Dunbar has thrilled crowds on six continents.

Always a leader, he now serves as a player-coach of his team, and has been compared to one of the all-time basketball greats, Boston Celtic Bill Russell.

Dunbar was a sixth-round ABA draft pick in 1975, but chose to play for the Globetrotters. He chose the path of consistency.

“No matter how tired I may be, once we hit that floor we are as fresh as roses,” Dunbar said. “There could not be a better theme song for us than `Sweet Georgia Brown.’ Once people hear that song, it’s automatic! They know they’re in for a show.”

As a rookie, Dunbar was not the total team and floor leader he is today.

“I did my part of the show in the warmups. I had the first dunk of the game, and then I would come out. It was very exciting and I was there to learn,” he said.

Dunbar joined a Globetrotter team consisting of legends like Meadowlark Lemon.

“I looked up to him the same way our new guys look up to me,” he said.

Twenty-two experienced years later, Dunbar offers some advice for young people.

“College is the greatest thing that can happen to a young person. There is no replacement for that,” he said.

He also has some advice for aspiring young athletes.

“You can do anything as long as you never lose sight of what you want and continue to work toward that goal. Having fun is also part of the process,” he said.

Sweet Lou Dunbar, Exree Hip, Johnny Rhodes, and the rest of the Globetrotters will be playing at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the upper and lower balconies, and $18 for the stadium bleacher seats. Tickets are available at the Bangor Auditorium Box Office, 990-4444, or at Filenes TicketMaster outlet in the Bangor Mall, 775-3331. Tickets may be purchased in person or over the phone.