Local Harlem Globetrotter visits children’s hospital

Her team travels the world, but Monday she made a special visit off the court in her own hometown.

TNT Maddox, a Harlem Globetrotter from Colorado Springs, got some one-on-one time with kids a Children’s Hospital Colorado Monday morning.

“It’s always nice to go home. When you can go back to the community that you were raised in and give back, it all comes around full circle. It always means a lot,” said Maddox.

Maddox got the chance to meet 1-year-old Gunner, who’s spent a lot of his life in the hospital.

“I was 20 weeks pregnant and they told me if he was born in the next few weeks he wasn’t going to live. He’s a miracle, just to be here today,” said Gunner’s mom, Amber Olsen.

“The moral of the families and the children who are here is a little down at the moment, being everyone cooped up in the rooms. to have TNT visit is uplifting for everyone,” said Dr. Bill Hardin at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Flu season has been especially rough on kids in El Paso County this year. The isolation wing is overflowing.

“Unfortunately we’ve been busting at the seams for the last three weeks. This year has been particularly problematic,” said Hardin.

“It’s great to see everyone giving back to the community and being here for the sick kids who may not be able to get out,” said Olsen.

“Me being able to use something that I love, which is basketball, and give back through that and bring a smile to someone’s face, it means a lot to me,” said Maddox.

Maddox and the rest of the Harlem Globetrotters will be at the World Arena in Colorado Springs Friday. the event begins at 7 p.m.