Cue the Johnny Globetrotter and Johnny Basketball nicknames.
Johnny Manziel was drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters on Tuesday, meaning he now has been offered a chance to play three of America’s four major pro sports — football, baseball and basketball.
Aside from being picked 22nd overall in the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns earlier this year, Manziel also was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 28th round of the MLB draft despite not playing college baseball.
This isn’t the first time the Globetrotters have “drafted” a famous athlete. Aside from also taking Landon Donovan this year, past selections include Lionel Messi, Tim Howard and Mariano Rivera.
“We like to think outside the box with our draft, so we look at all different kinds of athletes that could have the qualities of a Harlem Globetrotter,” said Sweet Lou Dunbar, the Globetrotters’ director of player personnel. “We know Landon Donovan can handle a ball, and we also know that Johnny Manziel is a fantastic athlete that knows how to be entertaining. ‘Johnny Basketball’ has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, Johnny Basketball can dunk.
Photo via HarlemGlobetrotters.com
