Anthony "Buckets" Blakes is in his seventh season with the Harlem Globetrotters, and will make his eighth visit to Milwaukee on New Year's Eve when the Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at 1 and 6 p.m. at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee has welcomed The Globetrotters every Dec. 31 for the past 39 years.

Blakes, who was raised and still resides in Phoenix, became a basketball fan when he was 5 years old and started watching the Phoenix Suns. Later, he cut a hole in his dad's hat, flipped it over and practiced throwing a tennis ball through it for hours at a time.

Blakes, 32, attended the University of Wyoming, where he was the basketball team's captain and MVP his junior and senior seasons. He was one of only two players in the Mountain West Conference to finish in the top 15 in scoring, rebounding and assists.

Today, Blakes is still a big fan of the Suns and close friends with Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby.

Blakes says his parents always involved him and his nine siblings in positive activities, and his stable upbringing turned him into the mentor he is today.

Blakes loves working with and mentoring kids, so the Globetrotters named him Advance Ambassador. As Advance Ambassador, Blakes makes appearances around the country presenting the "C.H.E.E.R. For Character" program, which helps kids identify strengths and build character.

Someday, Blakes plans to run his own gym and help kids through sports mentoring, but for now, he's happy to have another season as a Globetrotter.

Recently, OnMilwaukee.com tracked down Blakes and asked him a few Q's about his career as a Globetrotter.

OnMilwaukee.com: What's the best part of being a Harlem Globetrotter?

Anthony Blake: It's a wonderful job. I wanted to be a professional athlete since I was a kid, so for me, it really is a dream come true. And as Globetrotter, you get to make people smile and laugh wherever you go.

OMC: After playing college basketball and in a league in Europe, how did you wind up a Globetrotter?

AB: The Globetrotters have an amazing scouting system, and they contacted me.

OMC: What were the Globetrotters looking for that they thought you might be a good fit?

AB: Obviously, we need to have a very high level of athleticism first and foremost. There are guys who look like they're jumping off trampolines when they're slam-dunking. But the job also requires guys who have very fast and witty personalities, so they can make the crowd laugh. It requires a person who is as much of an entertainer as he is an athlete. We also have a love for kids and the ability to be a role model.

OMC: Being a role model is a big part of being a Globetrotter, right?

AB: Absolutely. The scouts only talk to guys that already know they're role models and want to be a role model. You are a Globetrotter and a role model for 24 hours a day. You're not just a Globetrotter when you have on your uniform.

OMC: How many games a year do you play?

AB: We play over 300 games a year and spend about nine months on the road.

OMC: Do you like the Globetrotter lifestyle?

AB: I love it. We all do. Most of us have been traveling with teams since we were kids, and then in high school and college, so we're used to it.

OMC: What position do you play?

AB: I'm the point guard and shooting guard.

OMC: How tall are you?

AB: I am 6 feet 2 inches and weigh 190 pounds.

OMC: Is it true the Harlem Globetrotters answer all of their e-mail personally?

AB: Yes. We are the most accessible professional basketball team, we answer every e-mail ourselves and we stick around for 30 minutes after every game to sign autographs. Our fans are very, very important to us.