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The essence of what Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson has brought to the game of basketball has been rooted in his personality, his passion, and his ability to entertain people of all ages. Utilizing his sense of humor, he has been able to bridge generational and cultural gaps around the world.
There are some special individuals that get their nicknames from their ability to fly through the air. Such is the case with Dwayne “Swoop” Simpson. Reminiscent of Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a former Wizards legend, NBA Hall of Famer, and quintessential long-armed, long-legged basketball player.
Swoop was given his nickname from his high-school coach for his ability to soar and dunk the ball from long distances. Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Swoop excelled on the basketball court during his time at St. Peter’s High School. In fact, he was selected to the Middlesex County All-Star Team and in his senior year in 1996, his squad made it all the way to the State Championship game. St. Peter’s lost in a nail biter to perennial powerhouse, St. Anthony’s, coached by Hall of Famer, Bob Hurley. Despite this setback, Swoop went on to star at Southern Connecticut State University, where he was a part of the 1997 New England Conference Championship team that made it all the way to the Elite Eight of the Division II National Tournament. Back then, Dwayne was a serious-minded “lunch pail player” who did all of the intangibles necessary to help his team win. Undoubtedly, Swoop did not take the traditional path in becoming a show basketball star. As a Computer Science major, Dwayne worked as a Technical Support Specialist and as an Intern at ESPN before making his debut with the Harlem Rockets in 2000.
The Harlem Rockets are a comedic basketball team that specializes in supporting fundraisers for schools, charities and civic organizations and it provided Swoop with the experience necessary to learn the tricks of the trade. But in 2003, the time was right for Swoop to move on and do what many basketball showmen dream of; play for the Harlem Globetrotters. It was with the Globetrotters, where Swoop had the privilege to play with some of the greatest basketball talent in the world, sharpening his skills, and becoming a lead showman.
Traveling to over 35 countries, spreading joy and laughter, Swoop craved for an opportunity that would give him the space to tap into his creativity and expand the boundaries of show basketball.
Todd Davis, Harlem Wizards President, presented Swoop with that opportunity to further utilize his innate ability to entertain. A partnership that proved to be fruitful. Swoop has been a major force in the Wizards growth. Following in the footsteps of wizard pioneers such as “Tojo” Henderson and “Broadway” Jones. Swoop has rejuvenated the Wizards show, reinvigorated the basketball camp program and reimagined the school assembly curriculum, all while coaching and mentoring players, as others had done for him.
“Being able to make people happy through my love of basketball is a dream come true for me. Knowing that you’re doing something positive and expressing to kids that they should lead a positive life makes the Wizards experience the ideal fit for my talents.” Long term, Swoop hopes to continue to inspire children in the same way he does as a Wizards player by creating a platform that will allow him to teach, coach, and mentor others.
“Each one of us has a star inside of us. We must find that star and let the star shine for the world to see.”
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