Corey “Thunder” Law - basketball superfan, Globetrotter, world record breaker - chats shooting hoops and entertaining an audience of thousand ahead of his visit to Nottingham in October...
Some of the tricks and shots you guys pull off are mind-blowing. How much training do you have to put in to get to that level?
It takes so much practice and dedication to make these unbelievable trick shots my teammates and I constantly make. We all take pride in what we do and want to be the best in the world, so we put in the work.
The hard work is clearly paying off for you - you’re part of a group that’s beloved around the world. How does it feel being part of such an important institution?
It’s one of the best feelings ever. To be loved everywhere you go… Not many people can say that. I’m just blessed and humbled to have this opportunity to do what I love. And to be a positive role model while doing so. I have a passion for making people smile and that’s what the Harlem Globetrotters are all about.
Do your tricks ever go wrong? And if so, how do you deal with that?
I never worry about things going wrong. I put in many hours of practice so I’m always confident and prepared for any moment. But if something goes wrong you’ll never know because there’s a counter for everything.
Basketball is one of the greatest games on the Earth, and to know the Harlem Globetrotters have had a huge impact on the game is amazing
Globetrotting is in the name - travelling the world is part of what makes the group so unique and interesting. Was that one of the big draws for you in terms of joining Harlem?
Growing up, I always wanted to play basketball at a professional level. So being a Globetrotter is a dream come true. And being able to travel the world and impact so many lives is way more than I ever expected for myself, so I’m still living that dream and enjoying the ride.
One of the places you’ll be visiting is Nottingham. Are you looking forward to that?
I’ve been to Nottingham several times and I can’t wait to return. I’ve missed coming to the UK and haven’t been since the world shut down. I can’t wait to show you all some of the new tricks and skills I’ve developed over the past year, and to give the fans one of the greatest shows they will ever see.
What are your thoughts on the UK’s basketball scene? Is it improving?
Basketball is one of the greatest games on the Earth, and to know the Harlem Globetrotters have had a huge impact on the game is amazing. I never cared about the skill level of a person playing the game. My concern will always be if you are enjoying yourself. So as long as the game is still growing in the UK and people are having a great time playing it, I’d say it’s improving at a fast rate.
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