The Yonsei Basketball Association is preparing to send a cohort of 24 student‑athletes to Japan as part of its 33rd annual cultural exchange program. The group includes an equal number of boys and girls who will spend several weeks participating in basketball, community service, and a variety of cultural activities.
Program Highlights
The women’s team is coached by Kayla Shikina and Kara Ito, while the men’s side benefits from the guidance of Brandon Chan and Victor Johnson. Both squads will travel together, fostering camaraderie across gender lines while representing Yonsei on an international stage.
Beyond regular practices, the students will attend workshops that explore Japanese traditions, take part in local community projects, and compete in exhibition games scheduled for July 12 against the Y32 teams. Their itinerary includes stops in Kochi, Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Osaka, where they will experience regional cuisine, historic sites, and contemporary culture.
Fundraising efforts have been robust, featuring a raffle, custom T‑shirts, and a golf tournament held on June 22 at Candlewood Country Club. These initiatives aim to offset travel and accommodation costs, ensuring that financial constraints do not limit participation.
Organizers emphasize that community support remains vital. Donations and involvement in upcoming events will help sustain the program’s mission of fostering personal growth and cross‑cultural understanding among the student‑athletes.
For more information, interested parties can contact the association via email at info@yonseibasketball.org or visit the official website at www.yonseibasketball.org.