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Friday, Oct. 13, Harlem Globetrotters legend Michael Douglas made his way through Manchester, visiting Coffee County Middle School and Coffee County Central High school.

His appearance was in part to promote an upcoming game to be played by his team, the Harlem Legends, against some of Coffee County’s legends and all-stars Saturday, Oct. 28 at Coffee County Central High School.

During his early morning visit to the middle school, Douglas performed many of the tricks the Globetrotters are known for. These included spinning the ball on his fingertip with seemingly no effort and hitting a half-court shot as if it were a routine free throw.

“You’ll be surprised by how good you will become if you practice,” Douglas said. “I’ve mastered about every trick you could do with a basketball, except eating it.”

However, Douglas wasn’t there just to perform tricks. He gave a motivational speech to the student body of 850, telling them, “Luck only happens when preparation and opportunity meet…these years of your life are your preparation years.”

Douglas’s big opportunity came in 1986, when he was the number one draft pick of the Harlem Globetrotters. He played for seven years, from 1986 until 1993. In 1991, Douglas founded the Michael Douglas Youth Foundation, which strives to help communities and individuals find their true potential, and provide youth activities that are both positive and educational.

Speaking to the youth is something Douglas still holds close to the heart, despite doing countless shows in more than 100 different countries.

“It never gets old,” he said. “I’m extremely blessed that I get to do this.”

After his presentation during CCMS, Douglas paid a visit to Coffee County Central High School to speak with various members of the media, before heading to Chick-fil-A to sign some autographs.

The final stop for Michael Douglas’s Manchester visit would be a return trip to CCHS, where he spoke to members of the basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball teams about how to increase their chances of getting a scholarship. He told them, “Don’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to your career.”