June 22, 2009

Phoenix, Ariz. - The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters selected five players to join the team for fall training camp, it was announced Monday afternoon. Included among the selections was former American University standout Derrick Mercer. Other newcomers selected to the team were Oklahoma's Taylor Griffin, New Mexico's Tony Danridge, Charlotte's Charlie Coley III and current United States soccer goalkeeper Tim Howard, a former high school basketball standout in New Jersey.

Derrick Mercer was named Patriot League Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American for his stellar play in the 2008-09 season. The 5-9 dynamo led American University to two straight NCAA tournaments, and the Jersey City, N.J. native is the only player in Patriot League history to record at least 1,200 career points and 500 career assists.

"Globetrotters must be great athletes, great entertainers and outstanding citizens," said Globetrotters Coach Sweet Lou Dunbar. "We believe each of these individuals possess enough of those unique dynamics to merit our consideration to wear the red, white and blue."

Each of these players will be extended an invitation to fall training camp to vie for the honor of joining the Globetrotters for their 84th consecutive season of touring the world.

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, IHOP, Spalding, and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Original Harlem Globetrotters are in their 83rd consecutive season of touring the world. The Globetrotters have played in 120 countries on six continents, entertaining over 130 million fans and crossing barriers between cultures, societies and people from all walks of life. The Globetrotters are one of only six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.