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The Harlem Globetrotters like to get the details just right. Some players have to have their wristbands or headbands on just so before they hit the court, for instance.

Herb “Flight Time” Lang, a 6-foot, 3-inch guard in his 10th season with the Globetrotters, isn’t superstitious, but he definitely believes in magic.

The magic circle, that is. Lang looks forward each night to the magic circle feature that opens each game. He’s among a handful of players heading onto the court to the team’s trademark tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown” to dazzle the crowd with their ball-handling tricks. Fans at the John Paul Jones Arena can watch for him Wednesday evening — he’s the man in the No. 4 jersey.

“I don’t really have any superstitions,” Lang said while on his way to an appearance at a local school. “I just want to get out there and entertain. To me, that’s my favorite part of the game. I love to display those ball-handling skills.”

Thanks to those skills, Lang is a standout even among the Globetrotters’ deans of dribbling. He brought his own arsenal of tricks when he signed on and then got to work learning traditional Globetrotters moves from veterans, including Curley “Boo” Johnson.

“I learned a lot from the guys who came before me,” Lang said. But he also enjoys learning from newcomers who help him “stay young and up to date.”

Lang, who usually gets to the gym an hour to an hour and a half before each game to practice, said that learning every day is one of the best aspects of the job.

The Brinkley, Ark., native, who has a degree in health and physical education from Centenary College, is a teacher at heart. He truly enjoys interacting with children at school appearances, and he said that one of the qualities of Globetrotter life that he relishes most is the fact that he can teach around the world, instead of in a single classroom.

“I’ve been to about 60 countries around the world, and some of them for a second time,” Lang said. “I’m on my second passport. It didn’t expire, but I ran out of pages.”

Lang said he had a great time performing for the Charlottesville fans last year.

It’s hard to believe that the players can keep up with so many fans in so many towns, but Lang said he often recognizes children and families who come year after year.

One of his young fans, now 6, began attending games when the only dribbling he could do was on a bib.

“I have one kid in Pittsburgh who’s been coming since he was a newborn,” Lang said with a chuckle.

He also said that folks who caught last year’s Globetrotters appearance can look forward to plenty of new elements.

“This year is definitely different,” Lang said. “There’s a lot of old stuff, but a lot of new stuff as well.” He recommended keeping an eye out for some talented younger players, including Bam Bam Bamiro, known for his leaping ability, and Special K Daley, who hones his half-court shot with veteran star Geese Ausbie.

“I have the best job in the world, and I say that all the time,” Lang said. “I always tell people we’re like Santa Claus — we come once a year.”

Fans will want to arrive 90 minutes early for Globetrotter University, which blends youth-oriented health and fitness messages with old-school Globetrotters fun. It’s free to ticket holders.