The now 24-year-old is well known for that jump shot of hers, along with adopting—former Philadelphia 76ers star—Allen Iverson’s infamous crossover. In addition to bringing these moves to the Globetrotters’ game, Young brings another layer to the team: she’s the 14th female player in its long history dating back to 1926. It’s a title she guards carefully, especially seeing how much of an impact her inclusion to the team has had on her fans—especially with the young ones.
In fact, those fans are the ones Young focuses on the most. Prior to making her Wells Fargo Center debut with the Globetrotters last month, Young spent some time with over 100 students at her former Philadelphia elementary school, Blair Christian Academy, as part of the Globetrotters’ “ABCs of Bullying Prevention” program, teaching them how to identify and put a stop to bullying, while also sharing her story about growing up to become who she is today.
In between games, the rookie took some time to talk about returning home, reaching out to her community and most importantly, why everything she does, is worth it.
Q&A
What was it like being back at
your old school and talking
about bullying prevention?
I was kind of nervous and overwhelmed, but
once I got there I spoke from the heart and I
just had a connection with those kids
because they were once in my shoes and I
actually saw myself out there in the crowd
just listening. ... It was the best feeling in the
world. My favorite moment so far [of] being a
Globetrotter is going back to that school and
giving back. They made me who I am today,
so I owe them a lot.
Did you have any personal advice to share
with the students about bullying?
I think most people, at some point, have
some experience with bullying. Growing up, I
always was a tomboy, didn’t like girly things
and I didn’t like dressing like a girl. So, of
course, a lot of kids teased me and called me
a boy, but I think that if we just stay strong
and try not to let what people say about us
affect us, we’ll be OK.
You’re the 14th female of the Globetrotters,
how do you wrap your head around that?
It’s truly amazing. Now, for young girls, there
is someone to look up to. ... When they go to
a Globetrotters’ game, usually it’s all males,
but now, there are little girls at the games
that say, ‘Hey, I want to be like Swish, or I
want to be like any other female
Globetrotter that we have on the team,’ and
it’s not just the girls—it’s also little boys. I’m
surprised at how many little boys come up
to me after the game that say, “You’re my
favorite player.” It’s amazing they can have a
female role model that plays basketball.
Was it always your dream to become part of
the Globetrotters?
Growing up I always wanted to become a
professional basketball player, but at the
same time I always wanted to give back to
my community. Once this opportunity
came up last summer, I figured it was
the perfect dream job for me because, not
only do I get to play basketball and get
paid for it, I also get to give back to my
community at the same time because
the Globetrotters are big on community
service and outreach.
How did it feel to be back in Philadelphia
playing at the Wells Fargo Center?
It was an amazing feeling. Initially, I didn’t
think I would be playing in the Philadelphia
area … but like a month [before], I was notified
that I would be and it was just a dream. ... I just
knew that all my high school and college
teammates, the whole city of Philadelphia
would come and support me and my family.
Stepping on the floor at the Wells Fargo
Center … and being introduced and having the
crowd give a standing ovation was just …
breathtaking. I would [have] never imagined it.
What’s the best part about being a part of
the team?
[It’s] much more than playing basketball. The
smiles and the laughter I see at every one of
our games and being able to be a role model
to a ton of young girls and boys. It’s just the
excitement and the comments I get after the
game about how the Globetrotters made a
family happier, even if it’s just for two hours. ...
The memories we create last a lifetime and it’s
just fun for everyone—in addition to being
able to give back to my community. [My] week
in Philadelphia [was] the best week of my
life, honestly.
How so?
Seeing how much this city loves their own and
the community outreach like going back to my
[old] school was an amazing memory. ... Being
able to enter people’s lives, it’s almost unreal.
You’re currently touring with the team, with
your latest stop in Boston. What’s the best
part about touring?
Seeing new places, being able to travel to a
different countries … meeting new people and
trying new foods. I’ve only been to one
country so far with the Globetrotters and
that’s Canada, but this summer I’m doing a
European tour. ... I’m very adventurous so it
should be a lot of fun.
What’s the hardest part?
Definitely missing my family, not being
home and missing some birthdays or
holidays. That’s the hardest part, but it’s all
worth it in the end.
For more information on the Harlem Globetrotters, visit HarlemGlobetrotters.com.
Photo courtesy of the Harlem Globetrotters
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life Magazine, April, 2017.
