Making a Difference
On and Off the Court
A Temple alumna and Harlem Globetrotter balancing basketball and giving back.
Fatima “TNT” Maddox-Lister, KLN ’07, is breaking barriers and making a difference in the world of basketball and beyond. From playing with the Temple Owls women’s basketball team to playing professionally in Europe to becoming the first female player on the Harlem Globetrotters in nearly 30 years, this alumna has never “dropped the ball” and never lost sight of the importance of giving back.
As National Volunteer Month came to a close, we had a one-on-one with TNT to learn about her journey, the impact she’s making through her work with the Globetrotters and her nonprofit, and how her experience at Temple helped shape her path.
Can you tell us about your path at Temple?
I'm originally from Colorado Springs and started playing college basketball at the University of New Mexico. I transferred to Temple to play for North Philadelphia’s Hall of Famer, Dawn Staley. When it comes to basketball, she’s done it all, from the WNBA to the Olympics. When I heard that she might be interested in me, I took a recruiting trip to Temple, and I was super excited because it was such a family environment there. I also love Philadelphia; it was such a cool city.
I graduated with a degree in advertising. I enjoyed it, especially my creative courses, where I learned to create websites and billboards. I remember spending a lot of time in the tech center. We called it Club Tech because that's where everyone was super late at night honing their skills. I wish I were in more extracurriculars, however. As athletes, staying in your bubble and clinging to your teammates and environment is easy. But it’s super important to expand your network. Today, I stay connected by receiving news about alumni events and the women’s basketball team. I love the direction Temple is going in, especially the women’s team, and I’m excited for them.
What did you do after graduation?
I planned to play professional basketball in some sense. When I graduated, I signed a contract to go to training camp with the now-defunct Houston Comets. I played in Sweden for two years, and then, luckily for me, the Globetrotters asked me to try out. When the recruiter asked, I had
no idea a female player had ever been on the team, so I was confused. I replied, “Wait, isn’t that a men’s team?” They said, “No, no, just come out.” When I showed up, it was such a big deal; they had flown people in from around the country, people had jerseys on, and I was in my gray Temple shirt! But it went well. They invited me to a more formal interview after the tryout, and that went well too, so they offered me a contract. The funny part is I didn’t tell my family or anyone else I tried out before signing the paper. When I told my family that I was not only a Globetrotter but the first female player since 1993, they were so excited. I remember it like it was yesterday. It’s one of the best things that’s happened to me.
Maddox and Dawn Staley revisit the Liacouras Center
How did the Temple Owls Women's Basketball team shape your career?
I learned a lot from Coach Stanley as a point guard on the court, but I learned even more off the court, watching her navigate being a coach, WNBA player, family woman and volunteer in her community. She did that all seamlessly, and it inspired me. I think that experience trickled into my involvement with the Harlem Globetrotters and what we do off the court and in communities. With the new show, Play It Forward, we have an even bigger opportunity to go into these communities and shine a light on different people doing great things. And my passion for giving back started with me witnessing, at Temple, how you can make a difference on and off the court.
What was the biggest obstacle you needed to overcome when starting professional basketball?
There’s always an uphill climb for female athletes to prove that we deserve the same respect as our male counterparts. It’s an ongoing battle for me to continuously prove that women are great athletes, and we deserve respect because we’re working just as hard as everybody else. The best way to prove that is by putting in the work, so that’s exactly what I do. I make sure I stay sharp and give it my all to perform at a high level and show that I belong on the court with all men. I also go out of my way to talk to little girls during the game. I speak with little boys too because they make up most of the crowd, and for me, it means just as much when a little boy tells me, “I hope I'm as good as you when I grow up.” That shows me that they see me as more than a female athlete. They see me as an athlete.
What was the transition like from college and professional basketball to the Globetrotters?
With college and professional basketball, you try to go at the other team as hard as possible. It’s more traditional. With the Harlem Globetrotters, you’ll see some high-flying dunks, some amazing basketball tricks and pure comedy. We also get honored with different nicknames after they see how we play. They gave me “TNT” because I’m explosive on the court and I’m the bomb. It stuck, and I like it.
What I appreciate about the Globetrotters is their commitment to family and giving back. We pride ourselves on being an event the entire family can come and enjoy. That’s one of the big reasons I became a team member. Plus, I get to inspire little girls as the only female player.
Can you tell me about Play it Forward?
The show is on every Saturday on NBC, and it’s been amazing. We have a million views each week, and people enjoy it. I also had such a good time filming it and sharing it with my daughter. That was a good moment for me when she saw me on TV.
The show is important because it engages a young, racially diverse audience, so the Globetrotters can build bridges to different demographics and create a larger impact on the world as ambassadors of goodwill. We’re traveling the nation, spreading positive messages from good sportsmanship, giving back to financial literacy and staying fit, all paired with mind-blowing talent and fun for the whole family.
We filmed in Philadelphia too, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend. However, I have been back to Liacouras Center a few times, and seeing how much the campus has grown was surreal. I’m so happy that it’s growing the way it is, and I’m proud to have been a part of the direction of Temple women’s basketball.
Could you tell me more about Harlem Globetrotters' work in the community and your role in it?
Could you tell me more about the Harlem Globetrotters’ work in the community and your role in it?
We do things from visiting schools and having different programs, from anti-bullying and physical fitness to discussing character. I’ve participated in hundreds of those because I’m passionate about it. We also go to children’s hospitals, host Make-a-Wish children and go to boys’ and girls’ clubs and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. It’s been amazing the kind of impact we’ve made and that I get to be a part of it. We also have traveled to countries like Honduras to give back, and one of my favorite experiences was at the White House during the annual Easter Egg Roll, an educational and fun event for youth. They invited some professional athletes, and I got to shoot hoops with Barack Obama and some little kids. Obama missed a shot and had to do some push-ups. I don’t think any of us had ever seen a president do push-ups, so that was a cool experience.
What's your favorite part about being a Harlem Globetrotter?
I love our impact on youth, especially young women, and the barriers we have broken throughout history. I’m proud to be a part of such a legendary organization and a part of history. There are always just one or two female players at every game, and it means so much that we can represent them. I also have a daughter now, and I get to inspire her to be fearless when stepping into any arena or job field where there might not be many women. This is bigger than me, and that’s my favorite part. My daughter is four now and more aware of her surroundings. My all-time favorite experience was when she was part of one of our games. She felt like the star player, and it was so cool for her to have that experience.
Do you have any other businesses or projects you're involved in outside the Harlem Globetrotters?
I’ve been into art since I was little. I try to do it as much as I can, but it’s tough to carry some of those supplies on tour around the country. I mainly use my iPad and stylus to connect with my creative side. I recently received a certification in UI and UX design. I’m passionate about the tech world and pushing toward being as good at designing as I’ve become at basketball. I also have a clothing brand called Chek Rok.
I also started the U R Heard Project to stay in contact with some of the little girls I met along the tour because so many parents ask for basketball tips for their daughters’ teams. I’ve dedicated myself to at least one monthly Zoom call where we chat about basketball, they tell me how their experience is going, and I encourage them and create a community.
How did what you learned at Temple help you build your businesses and nonprofit?
It was the foundation. I have carried so many things that I learned in my advertising courses, especially about human behavior and psychology. They’re so important in user design and business and marketing in general. Temple sparked my interest in being an entrepreneur, and I’ll never forget what I learned there.
Besides that, I learned to be Temple tough. People who come from Temple just have a certain toughness. We know how to push through and stay linked through that mindset. I meet Temple alumni everywhere; we’re all from different walks of life, and the Temple spirit keeps us connected.
What would you say to those hoping to rise to where you are now?
When I am at speaking engagements, I try and educate people, especially kids, that sometimes you have this big mountain of a goal, and it’s overwhelming when you’re looking at the top and thinking, “Man, I have to go way up there.” But if you put your head down, take one step at a time and accomplish little by little, before you know it, when you look up, you’re at the top of the mountain. It’s all about working hard but not letting it overwhelm you. Just know that step by step, you’re going to get there. Have patience with yourself.
Play it Forward is produced by Hearst Media Production Group and airs during NBC’s The More You Know programming block.
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