BALDWYN – Students at Baldwyn Elementary have been told before why they shouldn’t bully others.

On Tuesday, they heard that message from a professional basketball player.

Harlem Globetrotter Donte “Hammer” Harrison visited the kindergarten to fourth-grade school to deliver the team’s “ABCs of Bullying Prevention” message. His presentation comes in advance of the Globetrotters’ Feb. 25 appearance at Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena. That game will begin at 7 p.m.

“Bullying is a big issue we face in America, and we try to put a stop to it or at least bring awareness,” Harrison said.

The basketball star’s message to about 315 students centered around “action, bravery and compassion.”

He told them if they see bullying, they should act by telling a teacher, principal, counselor of family member about it. The students should be brave enough to not spread rumors and should be a compassionate friend to bullied classmates.

“I thought that was a creative way to bring attention to bullying,” said Baldwyn fourth-grade teacher Arlene Morrow.

Harrison performed for the students, spinning a basketball on his head and the back of his neck and completing a dunk on the gym’s basketball goal, among other tricks. He also used student volunteers during his message and talked to his audience about pursuing their goals.

“I learned you should stand up to bullies,” said fourth-grader Summer Rodgers, 9.

chris.kieffer@journalinc.com