Aggies embark on overseas adventure of competition, culture, team chemistry
By: Victoria White '18, Texas A&M Media Relations
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Tales of international adventure in the summer of 1975 fill up Gary Blair's journal.
Upon earning his master's degree, the young Texan drove to New York by himself, caught a flight to Luxembourg and traveled by Eurail to over 10 different European destinations.
This summer will be the first time that the Hall of Fame head coach will return to Spain in 42 years.
This time, however, he's bringing his women's basketball team on a 10 day trip, which starts Tuesday, to learn about culture, build team chemistry and compete in Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.
The Aggies will see the colorful stained glass and gently glowing ceilings in the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, the horse-drawn carriages in Valencia's Old Town, and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast on their 10-day trip.
The Aggies will also play four games while in Spain, facing off against Club Baloncesto Olimpico 64 on Friday, Combinado Valenciano on Saturday and Mataro All-Stars on the following Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We've been working super hard just getting ready for Spain and learning how to work together," sophomore guard Aahliyah Jackson said. "We've even had 6 a.m. workouts, getting ready mentally, physically and letting the newcomers know how important it is for us to take this trip so we can take another step [toward our goals]."
In a country famous for its fierce dedication to Spanish football clubs, basketball ranks as the second most popular sport in Spain.
While the Maroon & White will have to adapt to certain FIBA rules that differ from NCAA regulations, including extended lanes and longer distances for three-point-field goal ranges, Blair doesn't foresee a problem.
Some significant rule differences include the FIBA shot clock being 24 seconds instead of the NCAA's 30, a wider lane and the three-point-field goal distance increasing to 22' 1.7" instead of the NCAA's 20' 9".
"We'll have to get used to that but I don't think it's going to bother Danni Williams at all or Chennedy Carter because they shoot further back," Blair said.
"There are some very good players over in Spain," Blair said. "Spain is also a very good country to get an overseas contract."
Blair said that he believes the trip will be a positive and exciting experience for the players, many of which have never been out of the United States.
"I want the kids to experience a different culture because, here's the thing, some of these kids are going to have a chance to play professional basketball," Blair said. "We have, I believe, seven [former students] right now playing overseas and two in the WNBA. I want them to see what it's like in the other countries."
Blair spoke with high regard of Adaora Elonu, who started on A&M's 2011 National Championship team and who currently plays pro basketball in Spain with aspirations to attend medical school after playing professionally.
He mentioned her success in Spain and her lifestyle of truly immersing herself in the culture, traveling to different parts of the country during her time off.
Texas A&M toured Italy in the team's last visit to Europe in 2012.
Like Elonu, the Aggies will be striving to make the most of their experiences.
"I'm excited," Jackson said. "I'm going to try to step out of my comfort zone and try new things over there that we don't actually have over here."
The team will also go on a sightseeing tour of the city of Toledo, a World Heritage Site encircled by a glistening moat, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures respectfully coexist and impact the city's history.
They'll visit the Museo Nacional del Prado, the main Spanish national art museum with one of the finest collections in Europe, as well.
"I usually don't travel a lot so I'm really excited about that and also bonding with my teammates while being out there," freshman guard Kayla Wells said.
Exploring the cobblestone streets full of stunning art and gothic architecture, the team will have designated free time to get an entirely unique perspective on the local attractions.
"I plan to go shopping a lot, go sightseeing," Wells said. "I know we are going on a lot of tours with the team but I also want to go on tours by myself or with a few of the players during our free time."
She also said that the Aggies have been working on building depth and giving it their all for the upcoming games.
Junior guard Danni Williams added that the team has been learning plays and adjusting to the speed of the fast-paced sport with new teammates.
Coming off an impressive 2016-17 season in which the Aggies reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, some team members reflected on what went right last year.
"I think it's important for a team to have really good chemistry," Williams said. "Last yearm you could see that with our team, so this trip is just going to allow us to learn a little more personally about each other [which] can help on the court because you can learn how you approach a specific person."
Blair agreed that finding their groove as a cohesive group is crucial.
"One thing we want to carry over from last year is the chemistry that we had on last year's team," Blair said. "We want to build off of that."
He also cited the leadership of older players like Curtyce Knox and the extended minutes from Williams and senior center Khaalia Hillsman as catalysts in Texas A&M's accomplishments on the court, while expressing optimism for the future of the program.
"This year with this freshman class coming in, it's going to be special," Blair said. "We'll have 12 players ready to go over there. We'll rotate it around. I'll start four different line ups and everybody will get a chance to start at least one game or one half."
Additionally, 16 boosters will accompany the team. They'll be matched with a player to learn more about each other throughout the trip.
"I think that's pretty special because we want our fans to travel, to bond and get to know the kids," Blair said.
He expressed the desire of the university to embrace the diversity of other countries around the world.
"Texas A&M gives us the resources and they want to travel. That's why maybe we're one of the greatest research universities in the world," Blair said. "They have a great [study] abroad program that maybe someday some of these kids later on [will] want to go overseas and get some credit."
Many lessons can be learned by experiencing a new nation.
"I think kids start thinking about the answers are not always in our iPhone or our iPad. The answers are in the relationships that you build over there. Learning a different culture. Learning a few words," Blair said.
One thing is certain.
"The bonding experience, the competition and actually just getting a leg up on the other teams that are not going overseas, the trip will be unforgettable."
