Ace Porter joined the Globetrotters in 2023 and never looked back
Harlem Globetrotters
NEED TO KNOW
- Arysia “Ace” Porter began playing basketball at 6 years old and always dreamed of playing professionally
- However, while considering her options, the athlete caught the attention of the Harlem Globetrotters
- Now, she tells PEOPLE that she is grateful to be part of such an iconic team, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026
Arysia "Ace" Porter was a substitute teacher working for the San Antonio Spurs while weighing her career options when an unexpected opportunity fell into her lap.
Porter began playing basketball at 6 years old and always dreamed of playing professionally. Following a brief stint playing in Mexico, she planned to try out for a WNBA team.
"But before then, I actually got a call from the Harlem Globetrotters saying that they loved the way I handled the ball. They loved my personality because I love posting content and basketball content," Porter tells PEOPLE. "They just invited me to a tryout. Their history fits my purpose. I haven't looked back since."
The 28-year-old joined the Globetrotters in 2023. In that time, she's made her mark as one of the six women on the largest female roster in Globetrotters history.
While the Globetrotters are known to entertain, Porter notes that there's a lot of prep work that goes into the games.
"We go to the gym five hours before the game," she shares. "Practice my crafts, practice my skills, and get mentally ready."
"[I] stretch. I listen to music sometimes. I definitely have to say a prayer to get myself mentally ready for the game, be grateful, and be in the moment, knowing that I'm able to do this job and make an impact in any way I can. By game time, it's ready to go," she adds.
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As for her pre-game meal, Porter notes that it typically consists of "chicken, rice, some broccoli, and some greens in there."
One of the things that brings her back year after year is "being that role model" for other women and girls.
"I'm one of the ladies, so I think it's always such a cool experience and a blessing to show that we can do anything that anybody else can do," she tells PEOPLE. "We can do anything the men can do."
"For me, being a lady on the team is rare. It's an all-dominant male team, so just seeing a lady on a team and just representing and showing that we're not limited to anything is also my favorite part of just being that role model," she adds.
Harlem Globetrotters
In fact, there is one especially meaningful fan interaction that still sticks out to her.
Once, an older woman approached Porter, saying that she hadn't been to a Globetrotters game in 40 years, noting that the last time she was in attendance, Meadowlark Lemon and Frederick "Curly" Neal were still on the team.
"She's like, 'The fact that I'm here right now and I haven't seen it in so long and there's a girl on the team.' She started tearing up. Then she was holding my hand, like, really tight, and she was like, 'This is, like, so cool,'" Porter recalls. "She's seen the Scooby-Doo episodes, and it's just crazy how they haven't seen the updated version of the team."
Harlem Globetrotters
Another perk, Porter admits, is "traveling all over the world."
"Being able to spread that joy, that love and laughter with the game that we love so much, and just making other people feel special and making an impact in any way that we can," Porter shares.
The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary, and over the next century, Porter hopes the team continues to "break down barriers any way that we can, and just keep paving new ways."
Porter says that for the time being, she "doesn't take these opportunities for granted." Having the ability to "travel to different places" and experience "different cultures" has been a blessing.
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