September 10, 2019
2019 Spain Basketball Tour Report
Buckets!
Whoa Nelly! ...did those 8 days go by fast or what! Not even the laid back, easy-going lifestyle of the locals could slow down this group of adventurous travelers. Days filled with tapas, paella, and beautiful sights built up excitement for evenings marked by the smiles of young local kids – thrilled to be competing with our own talented U.S. youths – a lasting memory one can never forget!
31 very lucky boys found themselves competing against some of the best young basketball players Madrid and Valencia could offer. And, yes, while soccer might naturally come to mind when thinking of Spain, the country’s youth basketball system has consistently produced NBA talent like the Gasol brothers, Serge Ibaka and Ricky Rubio. So, as you might imagine, our guys met up with some pretty stiff competition.
Parents also got to see Madrid & Valencia from a local's perspective (thanks to our guides Gonzalo and Juan Carlos)... enjoying the rich history and beautiful architecture while cheering their boys on, making new friends, and creating lasting memories with their children.
Rachel, who traveled from Tennessee with her son, Lincoln, had this to say. “Where do I begin.... This was a life changing event for Lincoln. He met great new friends, experienced what it was like to play the game he loves in another country, had coaches who encouraged him and gave him constructive criticism. AND we saw Spain!”
Tabora, who also came with her son, added, “Henry really enjoyed bonding with the other team members, the specialized instruction from the coaching staff, trying new foods, experiencing new culture, the hotel amenities, and of course Paco! (the tour bus driver)”
When asked about their experience coaching the teams on the trip, Coach Esian Henderson said, “I cannot thank these families and athletes enough for their commitment and positive attitudes. Everyone worked hard, and it showed on the court. I enjoyed having the time to work with the boys and then see their efforts pay off on the court.”
Coach Joe Schaumburg was also pretty excited about how well things went. “The trip was a huge success thanks in part to Legacy Global Sports and US Sports Camps for their organization and coordination ... everything was first class from the food, to the accommodations, to the sightseeing. I am already looking forward to next summer.”
Coach Joe goes on to say, “One of the coolest things about the trip is also what’s great about our country… That a group of kids from 11 states, who’ve never met, came together as a team on and off the court in an unfamiliar environment. Watching the 14U guys mentor the younger 12U guys was really special too. The guys always stuck around to watch each other’s games and cheer them on.”
Jaden's Mom, Caroline, was impressed with how smoothly everything went. “The staff went above and beyond to ensure a quality experience for the players and parents.”
“I was very pleased by the staff, coaches, bus drivers, etc. I thought they did a tremendous job. US Sports Camps and the team from Legacy were organized and professional." says Christi Graham, one of the mothers accompanying her son on the trip.
"It was also great how the boys didn't know one another before the tour, but then came together so quickly as a team and as friends.”
When asked to sum up the trip, Ty's Mom, Stacy, said, “It truly was the trip of a lifetime. Ty is so grateful for every moment. He wasn’t ready to go home and would go back in a heartbeat.”
Julius, a 14U player who stood out as a role model for the younger boys, sent in a note saying, “This trip taught me that people have great hearts and caring attitudes. That I'm a leader and I love people. The kids in Spain are loving and showed great sportsmanship as they welcomed us! I learned more about myself and became a better player physically and mentally. It was exciting, culturally rich and so much fun! Gracias Nike para esta experiencia!”
So Good We're Doing It Again Next Summer, Wanna Go?
We're currently in the process of arranging details for next year's trip. If you're a player, parent or coach who'd like to join us on the 2020 Nike Summer Basketball Tour then send an e-mail to [email protected] with the subject line 'PUT ME ON THE LIST'... There's no obligation but this will put you and your family on the priority list come sign-up time.
A wise man once said: "Traveling - first it leaves you speechless, then it turns you into a storyteller." And since it's our stories that make us interesting...
You now have a GREAT story to tell.
Congrats to the 2019 Spain Basketball Tour participants!
About US Sports Camps
US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is the world's largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement.