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WASHINGTON. — Meadowlark Lemon, the lithe showman, jester and trick-shot genius who entertained audiences worldwide as the heart and soul of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, has died at age 83, the team announced on Monday.

Lemon, who played 24 years with the Globetrotters during the height of their fame, was a master of razzle-dazzle and good-natured crowd-pleasing hijinks. His legendary hook shots from half court and no-look behind-the-back passes became marquee features of the traveling sports show.

He died on Sunday in Scottsdale, Arizona, the team said.

Nicknamed the “clown prince of basketball,” Lemon was renowned for his comedy routines, including showering referees and fans with water buckets full of confetti. — AFP.