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IN A SPIN: Blenda Rodriguez (left) and Flip Atkins show some of their tricks to eight-year-old Waruf Alturki, from Nelson Primary School

THE MOST famous basketball team on the planet had youngsters in a spin as they slam dunked their way into Birmingham with an amazing array of new tricks.

The Harlem Globetrotters will be back at Birmingham’s LG Arena on March 27 as part of their nine-day UK tour where they will be showing off their incredible basketball skills.

More than 60 youngsters from four Birmingham schools had a sneak preview of the players’ new tricks when they met up with Globetrotter rookie Flip Atkins, famous for his acrobatic tumbles, and Blenda Rodriquez, who is now in his fifth season with the world famous team that can boast Barack Obama among its fan base.

Blenda and Flip put the young fans through their paces at the city’s National Indoor Arena while performing their ever-popular ‘C.H.E.E.R for Character’ programme which focuses on the importance of co-operation, a healthy mind and body, effort, enthusiasm and responsibility.

Manhattan-born Blenda, 34, who is a mere 5’ 8” tall, said: “Our CHEER programme always goes down well because it encourages kids to care about school and about each other. It’s all about helping them to face the challenges they will have as they get older and leave school.

“We always think kids learn more when they’re actually having fun playing ball with us. We love meeting kids from all over the world – it’s a great honour.”

The star-studded team have signed 10 new players for their global tour including Britain’s Paul ‘Tiny’ Sturgess at 7’ 8.”

He’ll be joined by Jonte ‘Too Tall’ Hall who at 5’ 2” is the shortest ever Globetrotter.

Not to be outdone by the boys, Fatima ‘TNT’ Maddox will be the team’s ninth female star, and the first to be recruited since 1993.

Tickets for the eagerly anticipated event are available from The Ticket Factory at www.theticketfactory.com. Alternatively you can call 0844 338 8000.