JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters will be playing at UNF Friday night.
Highflyer Tyriek “Shake” Railey, a rookie with the Harlem Globetrotters, will be playing in his hometown Jacksonville for the first time as a pro.
“I get to play professionally now. A lot of people have followed my journey growing up through high school and everything. It is amazing to be back home playing professionally,” Railey said.
Railey’s basketball journey started with playing at Wolfson High and then The Potter’s House Christian Academy.
Then, he took his talent to Virginia Union University where he played his college ball for a few years.
He joined the Harlem Globetrotters in December.
“I just want to see the smiles on their faces come everybody having fun and enjoying themselves. That is what we do. We bring entertainment. I am looking forward to that,” Railey said.
Railey is also a two-time dump champion.
He said being a Globetrotter is something he does not take for granted.
“It is amazing. Teammates turn into family. We are traveling across the globe. We are putting smiles on faces. It has been fun,” Railey said. “I’m loving it with the Harlem Globetrotters. We are having fun. We travel a lot of places and I’ve been to places I’ve never been before.”
Railey already has fans back in the River City, and for him — there’s no place like home.