The Original Harlem Globetrotters member Lou “Too Tall” Winston has lots of love for Uncle Drew. It turns out former Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving’s alter ego played a key role in the former Tuskegee University player making a jump to become a member of the world-famous basketball entertainers. After graduating from college, the point guard bounced around in different leagues before an opportunity arrived when he was cast as an extra in the 2018 film “Uncle Drew,” in which Irving starred. “I got a chance to play alongside Kyrie — that guy definitely takes basketball seriously,” Winston said. “My first day there I got a chance to meet Kyrie. He came to the gym and was shooting. I was rebounding and he let me work out with him.” Perhaps it portended good things to come. “Right after that movie, I got a call to come to the Globetrotters on a Thursday night,” he said. “My tryout was Friday, and I got my contract Saturday morning.” While Winston has always believed in his hard-court talents, playing with Irving emboldened the talented hoopster, who has always played with a chip on his shoulder. In fact, his “Too Tall” nickname is a curious moniker for a 5-foot-10-inch point guard who, at 16, was told by his high school coach he was too short and not smart or strong enough to ever play college basketball. Of course, Winston proved him wrong. Despite being called “Too Tall,” he doesn’t hold a grudge. “About three years ago, I got to see that coach, who apologized to me,” he said. “I told him I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if he didn’t say what he said. That motivated me to go after everything I really wanted — because at the time I was working hard, but I wasn’t working as hard as I should have.” For the better part of the last decade, Winston has been a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, earning four Guinness World Records, including most basketball layups and the most bounced basketball figure-eight moves in a minute. “My favorite trick shot is backwards from the stands,” he said. “I’m probably 55 to 60 feet away from the hoop. If you give me at least five tries, I’ll knock one down.” Fans attending The Harlem Globetrotters’ exhibition in Cleveland on Dec. 29 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse can expect to see amazing dribbling, shooting and dunking skills. Considering his ties to Irving and love of the game, Winston acknowledged playing on the Cavs’ court is something special. “Man, all of those guys are especially all right,” he said. “(Former Cavs star) LeBron (James) brought a championship to Cleveland, but look at the season that Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are having this year. They’re on the right track to make a great playoff push. “I just want to make sure when I step on the floor I’m doing those guys justice in the Harlem Globetrotter way.” As far as who would win in a Globetrotters against Cavs game, Winston isn’t backing down. “On, man, it’ll be a competitive matchup,” he said. “One thing I tell my kids all the time — because I coach back home — no matter if the person is better than you or more athletic than you, they gotta put their shorts and shoes on the same way you do. “The main thing is to be confident in yourself, respect your opponent and just go out there and have fun — win, lose or draw,. That’s what I (have lived) by my entire life. At the end of the day, I want to be able to say I gave it my all.” The Original Harlem Globetrotters When: 3 p.m. Dec. 29. Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, One Center Court, Cleveland. Tickets: $30 to $155. Info: 888-894-9424 or rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.