Darnell “Speedy” Artis, a 2016 graduate of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, a Gwynedd Mercy University hall of famer and a current Harlem Globetrotter, was featured by the Philadelphia Inquirer in an article titled “East Germantown native Darnell Artis wants to give back through his summer basketball league“.
According to the article, Artis started the UnderDawgs summer basketball league at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center (1100 E Chelten Avenue in Philadelphia) in 2018 to give back to his community and highlight the accomplishments of others. It’s been steadily growing ever since.
“Darnell is someone who doesn’t like to take the spotlight just to himself,” said his mother, Chan’el. “We always hear about all the bad things going on in our community as far as younger Black men are concerned, so to see them doing positive things makes me proud of all of them.”
“I always say that was my most important year of sports,” Artis said of his experience playing junior varsity for the Explorers. “A lot of kids these days see JV and think it’s a negative thing and they’re ready to transfer. That was the year I became a leader. I learned to take control of a game. I learned how to communicate with my coach. That’s one of my most cherished awards.”
Artis went on to GMU where he was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference rookie of the year, the CSAC championship tournament MVP, and earned first-team all conference honors three times. He led the Griffins to the 2016 conference title and graduated as GMU’s all-time leader in assists (448), sixth in points (1,319), third in made three pointers (168).
After playing three professional seasons in Brazil, he joined the Globetrotters in 2019, an organization he now assists with recruiting and playing the lead “showman” during games.
From his biography page on the Globetrotters’ website:
Speedy Artis joins the Harlem Globetrotters after playing professionally in Brazil for the America Esporte Club in 2017. Artis earned his nickname on the Globetrotters roster for his rapid style of play and dexterity on the court.
He attended Gwynedd Mercy University, in Pennsylvania, where he was a four-year starter and scored over 1,300 career points and 400 assists. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in his 2012-2013 season, First Team All-Conference from 2014 to 2016, and led his team to a Colonial States Athletic Championship title in 2016.
On the Globetrotters’ court, he’s known for his dribbling skills and spot-on accuracy when shooting from the team’s signature 4-point line.
Artis remains inspired by his love for the game and being able to impact the world. “When I was 8 years old I told my mom I would change the world,” says Artis, “so being a Harlem Globetrotter gives me a lane to live both my dreams.”
Artis earned his degree in communications. Following his basketball career, he would like to pursue a career in television production. When he’s not touring with the Harlem Globetrotters, he enjoys holding community events and hosting summer basketball camps for kids and adults.
The Inquirer noted that his father, Allen, worked in the kitchen at Abington Hospital at 20 years old, later attending nursing school which Abington helped pay for. He’s been a nurse for 16 years, serving as a manager for the last seven. His wife, Artis’ mother, went to nursing school as well.
“They saw something in him,” Artis said of his father. “Now, he’s one of their favorite success stories.”
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Photos: City of Basketball Love, Harlem Globetrotters