By Mallory Mattingly
Arysia “Ace” Porter praised God for her journey from being a substitute teacher with dreams of playing in the WNBA to getting called by the Harlem Globetrotters.
She initially planned on trying out for a WNBA team, but then the Globetrotters called her.
“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 told PEOPLE. “They just invited me to a tryout. Their history fits my purpose. I haven’t looked back since.”
Porter has been with the Globetrotters since 2023, one of only six women on the team.
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“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 said. “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 continued.
She praised God when she landed a spot on the team, saying, “Y’all, look what God did for me!” in December 2022.
“I am officially a Harlem Globetrotter!!!🤯 Like Huuuhhh?!🫣 I legit prayed for this and waited patiently, and he put me in a place where I can inspire, hoop, and be goofy at the same time! Woww!😮💨” she wrote on Instagram. “With that being said, keep striving for whatever u want to do, keep being great, and don’t let anyone tell u otherwise!💯❤️ – Phili. 4:13.”
She’s on a mission to bring joy to everyone she encounters.
“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 told PEOPLE.
This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 100th anniversary, and Porter hopes to continue to “break down barriers any way that we can and just keep paving new ways.”
She is still shocked by the journey that God has brought her on as she “doesn’t take these opportunities for granted.” But she remains grateful for the chance to “travel to different places,” as well as see “different cultures.”
The Globetrotters travel throughout the United States and the world, and tickets are on sale now.
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