Hundreds try out to be among the next Brooklyn Nets dancers

Twenty women will be chosen to perform at all Nets home games this upcoming season
By Jonathan Lemire AND Amanda Mikelberg
New York Daily News
Sunday, June 3, 2012

PHOTOS: BROOKLYN NETS DANCER TRYOUTS

Clad in Spandex and sequins, they are trying to become the new queens of Kings County.

Nearly 350 women packed the gym at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus Saturday, vying to become the first set of dancers for the Brooklyn Nets.

The women, who wore multicolored sports bras and tights, battled their nerves as they pranced and danced under the judges’ watchful eyes.

“I have been dancing my whole life — 20 years, from when I was a baby,” said Michaela Stanley, 22, who is on the St. John’s University dance team.

“This is the most women I’ve seen at a tryout.”

The contestants formed a line that stretched for blocks before they were let into the gym for the first of three days of tryouts.

Alikhlas Boxx, 19, was the sole male contestant — and he was tripped up by a bum ankle.

“I think I did great but I could have done better,” said Boxx, who is on the John Jay High School cheerleading team. “There were just so many girls.”

Twenty women will be chosen to perform at all Nets home games this upcoming season. But 15 of those trying out danced for the team last season and are expected to return — meaning only five slots may be available.

“We want a well-rounded, confident woman. She needs to be global, well-spoken, talented and have good technique,” said Adar Wellington, 28, a former dancer who now coaches the squad.

“If you don’t have the passion, it won’t show,” advised Tiana Hester, 21, a former dancer for the Golden State Warriors who flew in from the West Coast to try out.

“I would love to be in Brooklyn — even though I’m not from here, I would be able to represent.”