Military Salutes

The U.S. Army’s seven core values forming the foundation of soldier character cover the acronym LDRSHIP: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

Elements of those same leadership values are spread across college athletics.

Brasen James and Rachel Porter know this as descendants of military families and players on Georgia Gwinnett College’s men’s and women’s basketball team.

James grew up moving across the country while his father, Nicolas, served in the Army. Porter’s three uncles and two older brothers have also served in the Army.

He was born in Germany and spent the first five years of his life in the European country before traveling nearly halfway around the world to Hawaii. Nicolas also has been stationed in Washington state, Washington D.C., before eventually settling in Evans, Georgia. Those military stints were normally on three-year rotations.

“Being in the military as a child you have to adapt to everything. You are always traveling when you are a military kid,” James states. “You have to learn to make friends and become good at saying goodbye, because it is hard to leave friends that you have made in each place. You learn how to adapt to life situations at an earlier age.”

He adds, “You also become comfortable at being alone at times. You become stronger and get to know who you are.”

Meanwhile, Porter is 10 years younger than her brother, Jacob, who is currently stationed in South Korea. She is closer in age to her brother, Nick, who is set to leave Arizona soon to begin a three-year deployment in South Korea. 

While the lines of communication have improved throughout the years South Korea is 14 hours ahead of Lawrenceville, hampering discussions between the three siblings.

“We have each other’s phone numbers and can text between each other. But the time difference makes it difficult because they are on the other side of the world,” says Porter.

James arrived in Lawrenceville before GGC’s inaugural 2025-26 season after averaging 14.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for Reinhardt University (Georgia). He started 17 games in his first season with the Green and Gray, helping the team advance to the NAIA national tournament after posting a 25-7 record. 

The senior business marketing and criminal justice major has continued making valuable contributions this season for the Grizzlies, ranked No. 18th in the country. James has played in all six games and had a team-high 20 points in the team’s 108-65 victory against Montreat College (North Carolina), making seven of 10 field goals and five of seven 3-pointers, on November 3.

“We’re highly motivated because of how last season ended (losing in the championship game of the Continental Athletic Conference tournament and then dropping a 66-53 game to Hope International in the first round of the NAIA tournament). We are way ahead in terms of team chemistry than where we were last year at this time,” states James. “It is my senior year. I’m determined to leave nothing behind. I take pride in guarding the team’s best player.”

Porter helped the Grizzlies win 20 games last winter, including a victory over a Top 25 opponent, and advance to the conference tournament’s championship game in the program’s inaugural season. The Douglasville, Georgia, native is once again playing in a reserve role on this year’s team.

“I am a tough-minded player. I enjoy taking charges and want to make an impact in that aspect of the game,” remarks Porter, who led all Georgia high school players in defensive charges taken during her senior season at Alexander Comprehensive High School.

Both Grizzly basketball players value the military’s influence on their lives and its role in protecting America and its citizens worldwide.