Ninety-one years of basketball fun with Harlem Globetrotters [video]

Wun "The Shot" Versher

Wun "The Shot" Versher has been bringing smiles to faces around the globe for 22 years, and he couldn't be happier.

At 6-foot-5, the 47-year-old Versher is likely to draw attention in most places, but when he dons the familiar red, white, blue and gold uniform of the Globetrotters, jersey No. 44, he draws a crowd.

"I love it," he says.

"I've been to 63 countries, and typically that's a small amount compared to some of the other guys [on the team]. I've been around the world and to some places twice, and I have yet to find someone who doesn't like the Globetrotters.

"Everybody smiles and they want to share with us their memories of seeing the Globetrotters. Everyone has great memories. That is something I love."

The team returns to McKenzie Arena on Friday, Jan. 20. As is custom, the team sends a player ahead (Versher) to talk publicity.

During his visit, Versher stopped by the paper for a Facebook Live segment (www.facebook.com/timesfreepress/videos/10158130469925046/) and visited Orchard Knob Elementary School as part of the team's The ABC's of Bullying Prevention campaign.

Versher graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in recreation management. His time with the Globetrotters includes the team's induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He also appeared with the team on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

He also was with the team when it visited Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1996 and 1997. Shaking Mandela's hand was a career highlight, he says.

The team introduced a 4-point shot a few years ago and this year will be using a stripe on the court instead of markers to designate the 4-point area on the court, Versher says. It is set at 30 feet from the goal, a full 6 feet farther back than the NBA's 3-point line.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.