Ana Zortea is preparing for a Mother's Day that looks remarkably different from 2025. A year ago, she was awaiting the arrival of her daughter while navigating the final stages of pregnancy and the quiet anticipation of a new chapter. This Sunday, she will celebrate her first official Mother’s Day with 10-month-old Ace Katherine McBride by her side, likely while cheering on her partner, New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, during the heat of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The life of a professional athlete’s partner—often identified by the term "WAG"—comes with a unique set of demands, particularly during the intensity of the postseason. Popularized by tabloids in the mid-2000s to describe the “wives and girlfriends” of high-profile athletes, the term has evolved. Today, many of these women command large social media followings and build influential brands of their own. For Zortea, a former professional swimmer from Brazil, the transition into this lifestyle and into motherhood has been a journey defined by shifting perspectives and deep intentionality.

"It has changed me in ways that I didn't even know a woman could be changed," Zortea said. "You see the whole world with different eyes. I pay attention to so much more that’s going to dictate her future—everything we eat in this house, everywhere we go, the things we do. Even when it comes to politics and religion, you’re really paying more attention when it comes to your kids."

For Zortea, the path to this moment began far from the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Originally from Criciúma in the south of Brazil, she moved to the United States at 16 to pursue her career as a professional swimmer. Her athletic talent earned her a scholarship to Florida State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in international affairs. Due to the eligibility extensions granted during the Covid-19 pandemic, she found herself at West Virginia University to complete her master’s degree and finish her swimming career.

It was in Morgantown that she met the man who would eventually become the father of her child. While he is currently making his mark on the NBA court, Zortea recalls a time when she was completely unaware of his basketball prowess.

"People were coming up to him to take pictures with him, and I thought he was a famous TikToker or something," Zortea said with a laugh. "Because he wasn't the tallest guy in the room—he's 6-foot-2—you don't immediately think, 'Oh, he’s a basketball player.' I was so into TikTok, given my own career, that I thought he was a famous TikToker for a second. Then I found out he wasn't; he was a very good basketball player."

The meeting happened during her first weekend at the university through mutual friends in the athletic department. At the time, he was preparing for the NBA draft and kept his professional aspirations quiet during their initial conversation.

Now, Zortea watches as he thrives in his fifth professional season. In the current series against the Philadelphia 76ers, he has emerged as a defensive specialist and a critical component of the Knicks' rotation. While his 5.9 points per game this postseason may not lead the box score, his impact on the other end of the floor is undeniable. The Knicks boast an imposing 95.8 defensive rating with him on the floor, a number that plummets to 108.0 when he is on the bench.

His defensive skill has been a focal point of the series, particularly his assignment against Sixers star Tyrese Maxey. With the speed to stick with shifty guards and a tenacious approach that complements the length of teammates like Mikal Bridges, he has helped New York secure a 2-0 series lead. The next test comes on Friday at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia.

While the Madison Square Garden crowd roars for every defensive stop, Zortea is focused on the man behind the jersey. She notes that witnessing him embrace the role of a "girl dad" has deepened their bond.

"I fall more in love with him every single day," Zortea said. "He’s been obsessed with her from the second she was born. He announced it to the whole world while I was still recovering from a C-section. He went ahead and posted a picture and everybody started messaging him. He’s always been protective, even with his little sister growing up, so it’s the cutest thing to see him with his own little girl."

The couple chose the name Ace Katherine to honor both sides of their lineage. Zortea wanted a short name starting with "A" to follow the tradition of her mother and grandmother. He suggested "Ace," a name Zortea had never heard for a girl but immediately loved. They balanced the decision by choosing a middle name starting with "K" to honor the women in his family, eventually settling on Katherine.

As Ace approaches her first birthday in June, she has already become a fixture at games. Zortea enjoys the process of leaning into the "cheerleader" role for her daughter, coordinating Knicks-colored skirts, personalized shoes, and bows for every matchup.

"She loves the arena," Zortea said. "I think it’s because of all the lights and screens, since she doesn't get any screen time at home. It’s been so beautiful to see how she changed me to be a better version of myself. I just think about her on such a high pedestal, and I need to be that good in everything I do to achieve that for her."

One of Zortea's favorite memories from the past 10 months occurred during a trip to Florida when Ace reached a major milestone.

"She started saying 'mama' and 'dada,'" Zortea recalled. "It really caught us off guard. She was crying for something and then she looked at me and said, 'Mama.' We both just looked at her like, 'Did she really just say that?' I just ran to her and started hugging and jumping with her. That was my favorite because he was there and we both saw it."

Mother’s Day this year falls during a travel day for the team, as they prepare for a Sunday afternoon game in Philadelphia. Because the city is only about 90 minutes from New York, Zortea is still weighing whether to bring Ace to the game or wait to celebrate when he returns.

Last year, Ace was born on June 14, just one day before Father’s Day, making this the first year both parents can celebrate their respective holidays with their daughter present. When asked about her ideal Mother’s Day, Zortea kept it simple.

"He’s been so busy with playoffs, so I kind of want to say just having a great day, which is me, him, and her," Zortea said. "We can look back at this [time] last year and see where we were. I don’t really know what to expect exactly for my first Mother’s Day besides just spending time with them."

For Zortea, the quiet moments of family life are just as vital as the loud ones in the arena. As the Knicks continue their push through the postseason, she remains focused on the foundation they are building for Ace, ensuring that—whether they are at Madison Square Garden or at home—the focus remains on growth, faith, and family.