Playing basketball is only part of the game when the Harlem Globetrotters visit a city. The team's outreach program includes visiting kids in hospitals and schools.
WBFO's Jim Pastrick watched the smiling faces of patients at Buffalo's Women and Children's Hospital Wednesday.
"Sweet Georgia Brown" the Globetrotters' iconic theme song played as 13 year veteran "Flight Time" Lang stepped off the elevator to entertain the children on the hospital's 9th floor.
"I'm on Smile Patrol today. I'm trying to bring smiles to the faces of the children. I'm looking forward to it," said Lang.
Ruben King is a young patient who suffers from nephrotic syndrome. His mother, Tamyara Brown described his condition:
"We're always in the hospital where he gets different types of infusion and lasyx. It's challenging for him but his spirits are up because being at Women and Children's Hospital is like a family," said Brown.
Lang gave the children a one-on-one show. The staff and parents seemed to enjoy it too.
Ruben's mother, Tamyara Brown joyfully watched as Lang helped Ruben balance a spinning ball on his fingertip.
"It makes him smile. That big smile right there is what he does. Knowing that people care about him and what he does," said Brown.
Michele Helf of North Tonawanda watched as Lang showed her son Austin a few moves from the Globetrotters' playbook.
"This is nice to see him up close. It makes the kids feel good. It gives them something to look forward to," said Helf.
Lang said he he feels blessed to be able to brighten kids' lives.
"Y'know, nobody wants to be in the hospital, so to be able to come to spin a basketball on your finger or spin a ball on a kid's finger and make him smile is a blessing... simple as that," said Lang.
Each year, members of the famed Globetrotters visit more than 200 hospitals around the world and speak to thousands of students as part of the team's Cheer For Character program.
Lang also talked to students Wednesday at Buffalo's North Park Middle School.
The Globetrotters play at UB's Alumni Arena this Friday.