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Men's Basketball Joe Browning

Seahawks Return Home Full Of Memories

2019 Italy Foreign Tour Player Reflections

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – With a trip that clocked nearly 11,000 miles roundtrip, the UNCW men's basketball team's recent foreign tour to Italy was more than just an extended journey abroad.

It was much more.

The eight-day trek to five Italian cities to play two games and experience the country's unique culture first-hand created memories that will endure long past the college playing eligibility of the 13 players on the roster.

Coach C.B. McGrath's team split a pair of games against the Venetian Tigers and Serbian K.K. Kolabru team, giving the eight new players on the roster an opportunity to get to know each other and blend into a cohesive unit as the 2019-20 season approaches. Outside the lines, the trip featured two birthday celebrations, a wedding proposal (by the tour's director), a minor traffic accident and countless pasta dishes and unscheduled stops for gelato.

In a survey of the Seahawk players, the most popular city visited was artsy Florence with its many museums, including the Academia, home of Michelangelo's renowned David.

Two highlights of the week centered around freshman Jake Boggs and sophomore walk-on Brent Jenkins. The bench erupted during Game 2 when Boggs, a newcomer from Charlotte, corralled a nifty alley-oop pass from CAA All-Rookie playmaker Kai Toews and slammed home the bucket against the Serbian opponents. Two days later, outside the Vatican Museum, McGrath gathered the team to announce that Jenkins had earned a scholarship for the upcoming year. Bedlam erupted to the surprise of tourists waiting in line for the museum.

As part of a class requirement, each player kept a detailed journal of their adventure and the many sights visited. Several of the players listed a Tuesday walking tour of the ancient Coliseum tops on their list. Jay Estime', the club's leading scorer in the games, earmarked a visit to the Roman Forum as his favorite.

Along with the usual cultural differences, many of the players said the lack of air-conditioning in the sweltering heat, unique modes of transportation and variety of food offerings made for an adjustment.

Coaches and team members alike said another goal of the trip – creating a lasting team chemistry – was accomplished. " It showed us the things we need to work on and also brought us together," said Mike Okauru, a transfer from the University of Florida.


 
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Players Mentioned

Jay Estime

#12 Jay Estime'

G
6' 5"
Sophomore
Kai Toews

#10 Kai Toews

G
6' 2"
Freshman
Brent Jenkins

#14 Brent Jenkins

G
6' 5"
Freshman
Mike Okauru

#4 Mike Okauru

G
6' 3"
Junior
Jake Boggs

#5 Jake Boggs

G
6' 7"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Jay Estime

#12 Jay Estime'

6' 5"
Sophomore
G
Kai Toews

#10 Kai Toews

6' 2"
Freshman
G
Brent Jenkins

#14 Brent Jenkins

6' 5"
Freshman
G
Mike Okauru

#4 Mike Okauru

6' 3"
Junior
G
Jake Boggs

#5 Jake Boggs

6' 7"
Freshman
G