Isabelle Harrison stood hunched over in the entrance of The Athlete’s Foot at Gurnee Mills Mall, beaming as she signed a basketball for two young fans.
Harrison’s 6-3 frame was nearly double that of her new admirers, a set of 5- and 6-year-old sisters. Before formally being introduced, the two young girls circled throughout the store. Each time they passed Harrison, they paused as if they wanted to say hello but were searching for the courage.
