Harlem Globetrotters keep bullying out of bounds

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Harlem Globetrotters are not only known for their tricks, stunts and dunks, they're known as Ambassadors of Goodwill. 

The players helped kids at Barbara Jordan Elementary School bounce the bullies away.

"It was a really good experience for me," explained fifth-grader Dominque King. "I don't think I've actually seen, like, a performance that great. It was really outstanding."

The Globetrotters came armed to show students how to dribble, pass and even spin a ball on their finger.  Most importantly, they taught them the ABCs of bullying prevention.

ABCs of bullying prevention

• Action
• Bravery
• Compassion

"We want to go out there and teach kids, you know, if you see someone being bullied or if you feel like you're being bullied, there are the correct things that you can do," said Dizzy, a Harlem Globetrotter. "So we came up with a program called the ABCs of antibullying."

Barbara Jordan Elementary is a "No Place for Hate" school. The Anti-Defamation League started the initiative, and it teaches students how to respect one another. 

The students loved the help from the famous players.

"They talked about the ABCs: Action, like getting an adult helping someone out. Bravery: Don't go into the gossip and talking about others. And Compassion, caring about others so you won't go into the bullying," said King.

"It's good to have somebody else reiterating what it is that we're trying to do in the school," explained Cristela Garcia, a counselor at the school. "So that they know that it's not just one person telling them. It's a whole community kind of telling them the same thing: That it is safe to tell somebody. There are resources for them. There are places that they can go, and people will listen if they do tell that they're being bullied."

The Harlem Globetortters are performing at the Frank Erwin Center Friday at 7 p.m.