Exclusive: Trailblazer Fatima ‘TNT’ Lister on Harlem Globetrotters, Barack Obama, and Inspiring Women

Fatima ‘TNT’ Lister grew up shooting hoops in Colorado and little did she know she would become a trailblazer as part of the famous Harlem Globetrotters.

TNT Lister became the first woman to don the famous red, white and blue jersey for almost two decades when she joined the squad back in 2011.

Embarking on her 14th tour in 2025, the World Tour will coincide with the very special centenary anniversary of the basketball's most renowned travelling team.

A trailblazer who inspired women far and wide to take up sport and to never give up on thier dreams, Lister has travelled the world playing the sport she loves and even made Barack Obama do press-ups at the White House during his time as President.

Speaking to SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview, she reflected: “It meant a lot to me [to be picked], not only as a basketball player but as a woman. To be able to travel the globe and inspire and empower young girls to reach for the stars you never know what can happen.”

“For me, I turned up to that tryout with no idea that a woman had ever been on the team because there had been such a long gap. For them to feel I fit the bill and I was good enough to reopen that door for women I was proud. I took it very seriously.”

“I honestly didn’t even know I was a trailblazer at the start, I was just following my dreams. When they offered me a contract I got to looking it up a bit more and realised it was a really big deal.”

“Looking at that history at the Harlem Globetrotters and seeing how impactful they had been on the world of sport I really locked in.”

“One of my favourite parts is when women come and tell me how inspirational I’ve been for them. I’m out there with the guys and a lot of the time I’m the only female on the court. There’s a level of responsibility that comes with that, but it’s a good responsibility.”

“Not only do little girls and mums come up to me, but I always have little boys come up saying they hope they’re as good as me when they grow up and that makes me feel like they see me as more than just a girl player.”

“I’m really proud I can be part of that movement.”

White House with Obama

Non-basketball fans may not be able to name you some of the NBA’s hallowed teams such as the LA Lakers, Chicago Bull, Boston Celtics or Golden State Warriors but they will almost certainly have heard of the Harlem Globetrotters.

When asked her favourite memories from her many years of touring, Lister replied “Oh my God, so many!”.

But there were one which resonated deeply for the girl who grew up in a state famous for its majestic landscapes.

She added: “I’ve been to over 65 countries. The fact that I’ve been able to travel, travel is so important for you as a person to experience other cultures.”

“London is up there. New Zealand, Australia. There are some places I never thought I would go. I’m from a small town in Colorado and used to bounce the ball up and down the street, I never thought it would take me around the world.”

“One of the most unique things about being a Globetrotter is that anywhere we go we’re the home team and the support we get is amazing every night.”

“I’ve been on quite a few tours. My favourite moments were going to the White House and shoot some hoops with the President…It was Barack Obama.”

“He was pretty good actually, I was surprised. You think with how busy he would have been when would he have time to practice. Maybe he played when he was younger.”

“Funny story, there were kids there as well so we were playing a game where if you miss a free throw shot you have to do push ups. He comes up, we tell him the rules. Low and behold he gets on the free-throw line and he misses. I’m thinking ‘do you tell the President of the United States he has to do push ups’ so I’m like ‘it’s okay, don’t worry’. But he drops down and does his push ups and there’s this picture with him doing these push ups and we’re all there shocked.”

“I thought it was really cool that he got involved and abided by the rules.”

*You can buy tickets for the 100-year anniversary tour, here.