New Haven Independent

Two stars of the Harlem Wizards professional basketball traveling show team shot hoops, played round ball with some of the students gave a demonstration of their skill both on and off the court.

Joey Britto, also known as Fast Break; and Arthur W. Lewis Jr., also known as King Arthur; spent the best part of an hour in the school gym. Fast Break is in a blue T-shirt and the King is in a black shirt in the video. Play the video to see some of their moves and their lessons.

The Wizards will play the Greater New Haven Teachers team at Wilbur Cross High School on Jan. 18. (Click here to see the schedule.)

Lewis, an academic All-American at Bowie State University, told the pupils that their teachers are the key to their futures. “Don’t disrespect teachers,” he said. “Without teachers, there wouldn’t be a Fast Break and King Arthur,” he and Britto said. Britto played his college ball at the University of Massachusetts.

“When it’s your turn to shine, shine,” Lewis said. “Take advantage of your education. You can be whatever you want to be,” he said. He reminded the students, many of whom were African-American and Hispanic, that the president of the United States was African-American.

The students listened respectfully as the stars spoke, but yelled with glee at the antics of the basketball players and their fellow pupils.

To bring home their point never to be afraid to fail, the pair challenged students to try tricks, as Enoch Escabar did, or try to steal the ball from King Arthur, as Roosevelt Greene tried to do.

The stop at Barnard was the fourth Tuesday for the pair. Each of the team’s two squads plays 160 games a year. They visit every city where they play spreading their message, as well as promoting the games.

The pair, despite looking tired, stayed to play with some of the pupils, much to the delight of both youngsters and hoops pros. Lewis is at left in the back row, with Britto to his right, in photo.

Principal Mike Crocco reinforced the message. If you were less than successful in the first half of the school year, this is your time to shine, he said. If you did well, this is the time to continue your efforts, he said.