Harlem Ambassadors show cage tour coming to Saipan

The Harlem Ambassadors Professional Show Basketball team is coming to Saipan as part of their 2001 Pacific Tour for a May 12 game. This becomes the most extensive schedule of Polynesian and Micronesian island games in show basketball history.

The internationally-known touring basketball show will perform 14 games including games in the State of Hawaii, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of Palau. “We are overwhelmed with the response that we have received from these Pacific locations,” said Harlem Ambassadors President Dale Moss. “We expect packed gyms throughout the region and a great response from the people,” he added.

The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show features high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling, and comedy routines led by Lade Majic, Queen of Show Basketball. The only woman coach/player of an all men’s professional team, Lade Majic has played more show basketball games than any woman in history. She competes against opposing men players on a nightly basis and represents a great positive role model for young girls.

Unlike another touring show basketball team with ‘Harlem” in its name, the Ambassadors do not travel with a pre-selected opponent or present a choreographed show. “We like to be challenged by the best local players”, said Lade Majic, “and I’m certain we’ll see some strong talent throughout the Pacific.”

The Saipan game is part of the Harlem Ambassadors 2000-2001 World Tour which has included games in Europe (Iceland, England, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo), Asia, (Japan, Korea) and 32 U.S. states.

Harlem Ambassadors 2001 Pacific Tour Line-up

#1 Lade Majic 5’7″ Coach/Point Guard Orange New Jersey

The Queen of Show Basketball, Majic leads the Harlem Ambassadors as lead show player, head coach & Vice President of Basketball Operations. This future Hall-of-Fame candidate has played more show basketball games than any woman in history. A native of New Jersey, she was the Most Valuable Player of New Jersey State Girls Basketball Tournament while leading Clifford J. Scott High School to the state title. Starred collegiately at the University of Missouri where she was a member of the Tiger’s Big Eight Championship team. Majic has coached on the high school (her alma mater scott), college (Upsala College), & professional (Harlem Ambassadors) levels. She also plays summers in the rugged New York City outdoor leagues including West Fourth & Rucker in Harlem. She began her show basketball career and toured for five seasons with the Harlem Wizards. She has been invited to WNBA camp Women’s Basketball. Appeared in a national Buick television commercial with WNBA star Cynthia Cooper. Holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling & has worked extensively with at-risk youth through her NO FEAR Foundation (No False Evidence Appearing Real).

#22 Ketrick “Jazz” Copeland 6’1″ Guard Senatobia, Mississippi

This veteran player continues developing his ball handling and dribbling skills for the Ambassadors’ show. He recently added juggling skills to his show repertoire. A collegiate star at Rust College in Mississippi, Copeland averaged 17 points a game as a three-point specialist for the NAIA school. He has a degree in Communications from Rust College.

#3 Jermiah “Aereo” Cathey 6’0″ Guard Paso Robles, California

Cathey dazzles audiences with an incredible 50-inch vertical leap. He is making his second tour of duty with the Ambassadors, having performed internationally with teams in Mexico, China & Russia. Cathey starred collegiately at the Master’s College in California.

#31 Jamil “Smooth” McNeal 6’4″ Guard Chicago, Illinios

McNeal starred in both basketball & academics at Chicago’s Kenwood Academy. Obtained his B.A. degree in American Government from Virginia where he plans to enroll in graduate studies. Jamil is a close friend of Philadelphia 76ers center Nzar Mohammed & has worked basketball camps at the University of Kentucky alongside NBA star Antoine Walkre, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson & Tony Delk. McNeal first toured with Harlem Ambassadors on the 2000 European Tour.

#44 Tromaine “Biggie” Scott 6’5″ Guard Houston, Texas

Scott brings a powerful inside game to his first tour of duty with the Harlem Ambassadors. He initially came to the attention of Ambassadors’ Head Coach Lade Majic in the weight room as he was in summer preparation for his other sport..football. He has been scouted for a position with NFL-Europe. This defensive lineman is a versatile, all-around athlete. He looks to dominate the boards for the Ambassadors this season. Attended Angelo State University in Texas.

#4 Shawn “Thunder” Thigpen 6’4″ Forward Xenia, Ohio

Shawn is an Ohio native where he was a McDonald’s All-American candidate at Xenia High School. He went on to attend the University of Charleston in West Virginia where he was co-captain of the league Championship Team that compiled a 28-4 record and finished the season ranked #6 in the nation in Division II. This is Shawn’s second season with the Ambassadors.

Cookie Da’Ref Tour Manager/Referee Newark, New Jersey

Keeping the Harlem Ambassadors road show running smoothly is Jacquelyn “Cookie” Oliver. A multi-talented performer, Cookie is a graduate of the Newark School of the Performing Arts. She was All-Conference & All ECAC at Rutgers-Newark. Cookie has considerable outfit before making the step up to the Ambassadors.