OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Sept. 30, 2010) - Former NYIT men's basketball forward Kirk “Zeus” Stewart ’08 signed with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters for their 85th season. He joined the other five rookies at the team’s annual training camp held Sept. 26-Oct. 7 in New York in preparation for the 2011 World Tour.

 

Stewart is a 6-foot-7 powerhouse who earned All-East Coast Conference honors during his two seasons as a starter for NYIT.

 

He is joined by fellow rookies: Brent “Thunder” Petway, Woodell “Woody” Payne, Eric “Hacksaw” Hall, Garry “Bingo” Beverly, Brian “Slingshot” Addison; as well as Globetrotter stars: Big Easy Lofton, Flight Time Lang, Special K Daley, Scooter Christensen, Ant Atkinson, Handles Franklin, and Dizzy Grant.

 

Stewart compiled a career-average 8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game with 87 assists, 45 blocks and 33 steals in 55 games played. As a senior, he earned All-ECC second team honors and was named Player of the Week (Nov. 18) after a career-high 27 points against Stonehill College. As a junior, he appeared in all 29 games for the Bears, finished third on the team with 9.6 points and 4.2 boards per game, while earning All-ECC third team accolades. He scored double-figures 14 times on the season, including a season-high 21, on 8-10 shooting, against C.W. Post (Jan. 25).

 

Before joining the Bears in 2006, Stewart played two seasons at Corning Community College where he received Corning Player of the Year honors in 2004-2005, and Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC) All-Conference and All-Region honors in 2004 and 2005.

 

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Spalding, Howard Johnson Hotels and America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Original Harlem Globetrotters will celebrate their 85^th consecutive season in 2011, reaching unprecedented heights with never before seen innovations in the game. The Globetrotters will perform over 270 shows in North America from Dec. 26, 2010, through mid-April 2011, showcasing the wholesome family entertainment that has provided lifetime memories for generations of fans.

 

The full North American tour schedule will be released in the fall. To find out when the Globetrotters will bring their spectacular show to a city near you, and to purchase tickets, visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com.