The crew of USS Constitution welcomed members of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters to the ship for a show aboard Old Ironsides March 24.

The Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that performs throughout the world - combining feats of athleticism, theater and comedy in their shows. The Globetrotters, known for their support of the U.S. armed forces, are now in their 89th season.

Two Globetrotters, 'Buckets' Blakes and 'Sweet J' Ekworomadu, stopped by Charlestown Navy Yard during their tour of Boston to provide an afternoon of entertainment for Constitution's crew. Officers and Sailors watched and cheered as 'Buckets' and 'Sweet J' shot basketballs from the ship's bow through a hoop located on the ship's pier. One Constitution Sailor manned a kayak to retrieve balls that found their way into the harbor.

"What a privilege to be a part of history...to not only be a part of the Harlem Globetrotters but also to be here on Old Ironsides," said Blakes, a 13-season veteran Globetrotter.

Following their trick shot exhibition aboard the ship, 'Buckets' and 'Sweet J' reconvened with Constitution's crew on the ship's pier to teach some of their favorite trick shots to Sailors, then challenged Sailors to a trick shot shoot-off.

"It was really a great honor (to play with the Globetrotters)," said Damage Controlman Fireman Terray Franklin. "I grew up watching these guys on TV, and to be able to play ball with them and shake their hands was amazing."

Before departing the yard, the Globetrotters took time to take photos with Constitution crew members and sign autographs.

"It is just an awesome and amazing vibe by being here (at Constitution)," said Ekworomadu, the 12th female Globetrotter in team history. "A piece of history that is 33-0, and has never been taken down, it is just really cool."

USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, actively defended sea-lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855. Now a featured destination on Boston's Freedom Trail, Constitution and her crew of U.S. Navy Sailors offer community outreach and education about the ship's history and the importance of naval seapower to more than 500,000 visitors each year. USS Constitution is scheduled to be dry docked in Charlestown Navy Yard in May 2015 for a three-year planned restoration period.

For more news and information on USS Constitution, visit www.navy.mil/local/constitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.