La'Keisha Sutton

La'Keisha Sutton (born November 18, 1990) is an American professional basketball player, coach, author, and entrepreneur known for her role as one of the few women to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. She played four seasons of college basketball for the University of South Carolina under coach Dawn Staley before playing professional basketball overseas and joining the Harlem Globetrotters.

Early life and education Sutton was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She went on to attend the University of South Carolina from 2008 to 2012, where she majored in Broadcast Communications and later applied those skills to her brand and storytelling work.

High school career At Trenton Catholic Academy, Sutton was coached by Khaliq Lewis El. In her senior year, she was awarded as New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year, Trenton Times Player of the Year, and Trentonian Player of the Year, while averaging 19.6 points per game. She was a four-time all-county first-team selection and twice earned All-State honors from the Associated Press. She was named MVP of the 2008 New Jersey State Championship game after leading her team to its second-consecutive title. Over her career, she scored 1,990 points.

College career At South Carolina, she was a consistent contributor across her four seasons. She was a unanimous selection to the SEC All-Freshman Team during her freshmen season. Sutton was also Dawn Staley's first South Carolina Gamecock recruit in 2008 where she helped lead South Carolina to their first ever Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2012. In her senior year (2011–12), she was named second-team All-SEC, and made the SEC All-Defensive team. She earned honorable mention All-SEC from the Associated Press. During that season, she led the team in assists and had multiple 20+ point games. Over her tenure, she became the 11th player in program history to record at least 300 assists and 1,000 points. She scored nearly 1,300 points over her four-year career and graduated in 2012 with a degree in Broadcast Communications. She earned the nickname Fan Favorite in college. Upon leaving college she became a WNBA prospect.

Professional basketball career After college, Sutton played professional overseas in Taiwan, Finland, Ecuador, Germany, and Bulgaria before joining the Harlem Globetrotters in 2018, and adopting the nickname "Swish". With the Globetrotters, she traveled extensively (to all 50 U.S. states and various countries) and was one of a small number of women to perform in the show. “I come from the projects,” she said. “I used this basketball to take me all over the world.” -La'Keisha Sutton

“It was an honor to be a part of the Globetrotters,” Sutton says. “Even though there will be many more women to wear that jersey, I’ll always be proud to be the first one from New Jersey.” - La'Keisha Sutton She is Head Coach of the varsity girls' basketball team at the George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania., where in her second coaching season she was praised for her credentials and connection to the local youth basketball scene.

Media career In addition to her athletic work, Sutton has made appearances in White Men Can't Jump. She has also been an emcee for the Hoopbus WNBA draft alongside, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tamika Catchings. Furthermore, she was also invited to coach at the Nike Academy in 2025.

Sutton is the author of From The Projects To Fan Favorite: Made In Trenton. She has also worked as a coach and mentor, including a role as Varsity Girls Head Basketball Coach at George School.

Personal life Sutton maintains a presence of social media under the handle @fanfavorite11.

Honors and legacy

New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year (2008) SEC All-Freshman Team (2009) First woman Globetrotter from New Jersey.