USA Basketball Trip 

G.C Iannuzzi, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus 

After nearly 24 hours of travel, the Ivanhoe Grammar School USA Basketball tour kicked off on December 7th, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Our first few days in Atlanta were packed with both excitement and jet lag, as we explored local hotspots and attended the Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets NBA game. The energy in the arena was electric and seeing some of the league’s biggest stars play in person set the tone for the experience ahead. 

From Atlanta, we made our way up the East Coast, with the Carolinas as our next stop. North and South Carolina were a major part of the trip, as not only did we play our first few games against highly ranked teams, but we also bonded as a squad over activities like Top Golf. Touring Division 1 college programs, including Duke, UNC, and Davidson, were new experiences for all of us.  Walking through their state-of-the-art athletic facilities and seeing the level of dedication required at the collegiate level gave many of us a new perspective on what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete. 

Our journey continued through Virginia, where we played two more games before heading to Washington, D.C. There, we took in the history of the nation’s capital, visiting iconic landmarks like the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian Museum. However, one of the biggest highlights was attending the Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics game, where we had the opportunity to sit courtside during warmups, conversing with both the players and staff. Additionally, one of our teachers and a student even participated in the halftime show for a chance to win $5,000. 

New York was my favourite stop overall. The cold temperatures and festivity in places such as Times Square, Rockefeller Centre, and Central Park created a magical feel. We also had the chance to explore on our own, indulging in some shopping and trying some New York street food which was an experience that balanced out the intense schedule of the past ten days. 

On December 19, we boarded a 4 a.m. flight to Los Angeles for the final leg of our journey. LA was bustling with chaos, within just 48 hours, we played our final game, spent a day at Disneyland, visited So-Fi Stadium, and explored iconic spots like Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. The fast-paced schedule made it hectic, but it was easily one of the most exciting parts of the trip. 

Looking back, this experience was truly unforgettable. Beyond the competition and sightseeing, this trip strengthened our team bond, established connections with high school players all around the country and gave us memories that will last a lifetime. A huge thanks to our teachers for making it all possible, I can’t imagine how tough it was to manage 21 of us for two weeks straight! This was for sure a once in a lifetime experience and I’m sure every one of us will forever be grateful for it.