Philly native Bria Young coming home as a Harlem Globetrotter

There was a time when Bria "Swish" Young would draw a reprimand from her college coach with her fancy moves on the basketball court: dribbling through her legs and behind her back.

These days, her dazzling skills and showmanship win applause when she takes the court to entertain crowds as a member of the legendary Harlem Globetrotters.

Young, 23, who honed her gamesmanship growing up in Philadelphia, returns home next month to make her debut at the Wells Fargo Center as a Globetrotter.

It is a dream come true for the 5-foot-6 guard, who was named in December to the Trotters rookie class. She is the 14th woman to join the exhibition team in its 91-year history.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Young said while traveling with the team in Rochester, N.Y. "There was no way I could turn it down."

She began playing when she was about 7, after watching her father and uncle play street basketball in the city. She modeled her style after Allen Iverson.

After graduating from Preparatory Charter School in 2011, Young enrolled at St. Francis University near Pittsburgh, fulfilling her dream to play at a Division I school.

But she quickly became homesick. She transferred to Philadelphia University, a Division II school, where her mother, Lisa, worked in human resources.

Coach Tom Shirley, who had followed her career in the city, welcomed her to the Rams. He wasn't too impressed, however, with her fancy style of play.

"Do you think you're a Globetrotter or what? Stop with all the crap," Shirley laughingly recalled telling his future star player.

Young became a starting point guard at Philadelphia University her junior year. She scored 1,067 career points and was named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player of the year in 2016. The team won the CACC championship her senior year.

"She was a great kid, a pleasure to coach," Shirley said.

Young graduated last May with a bachelor's in psychology and hoped to become a professional basketball player. She was invited last summer to attend a tryout for the Globetrotters in Atlantic City.

The Globetrotters host about five tryouts a year, inviting about 10 players to each tryout, a team official says. A team of scouts and coaches decides whom to add to the elite squad.

To prepare for the tryout, Young practiced sliding on the court while dribbling – a signature move and fan pleaser. She ended up with floor burns on her legs, but improved, she said.

"Going into the trials I didn't know what to expect," she said.

At the tryout, Young said she played traditional five-on-five basketball and underwent an extensive interview. She was eventually invited to a second tryout in Atlanta.

She was a member of a six-member rookie class that was chosen and debuted with the team when it began its 2017 world tour last Dec. 26. Also on the team is Latif  "Jet" Rivers, a native of Elizabeth, N.J.

For the first time in its history, the Globetrotters have four women on the team. The first woman, Lynette Woodard, joined the team in 1985 and stayed for two years; she later played in the WNBA.

As an aspiring player, Young said, she looked up to fellow Trotter Fatima "TNT" Maddox, a dribbling wizard and former Temple University standout. Maddox joined the Trotters in 2011, becoming the first woman on the team since 1993.

"I wanted to be like her," Young said.

Maddox said Young is a welcome addition to the team. She also has a kind heart that makes her a favorite among children, she said.

"I've always had a lot of respect for her. She definitely embodies everything we're about," Maddox said.

Both women said they want to be role models for girls and hope they will be encouraged by their example in a male-dominated sport. There are 27 men on the Trotters.

"It's always a little bit of an uphill climb for women. We want to make other women proud and show them that we can do whatever we set our minds to do," Maddox said.

Young said she hopes young girls will be inspired by her selection to a team that has been synonymous with the whistling song "Sweet Georgia Brown." As part of the job, she is able to fulfill a second passion, to spend time in the community and visit schools to discuss anti-bullying programs.

"Now young girls have another outlet dream. It's someone they can look up to," Young said.

The all-black Globetrotters team was founded in 1926, combining athleticism with theater and comedy. The players are credited with popularizing the slam dunk and fast break and helping break down racial barriers to allow black players to enter the NBA. In 1950, Globetrotter Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton became the first black player to sign an NBA contract, joining the New York Knicks.

Young said she has enjoyed being on the team, despite grueling practice and game schedules. In her spare time, she practices her 4-point shot, added last year to the Globetrotters' repertoire.

The 4-point line is located 30 feet from the basket, 6 feet, 3 inches beyond the current 3-point line in the NBA.

"It's almost like shooting from half court," Young said. "That's one of the trick shots I absolutely love to share."

She's expecting a huge crowd that will include her parents and lots of local fans when the Globetrotters appear at the Wells Fargo Center on March 4 and 5. She undoubtedly will live up to her nickname – "Swish."

"It's a great job. It's truly a blessing," Young said.  "This is so much a dream come true."