The Yonsei Basketball Association continues its cultural exchange tradition by selecting a new group of 12 boys and 12 girls to travel to Japan this summer.
In its 32nd year, Yonsei provides eighth-graders the opportunity to engage with Japanese culture through community service, homestay experiences, leadership and interpersonal skill development, and team camaraderie, all in addition to basketball.
The experience also allows youth who have grown up playing against one another through SEYO, JAO, CBO, or CYC to become teammates and make lifelong friendships along the way.
This year’s Yonsei 32 teams will travel to Japan in July. The players will have their homestay experience in Shibata and will also travel to Sendai and Nikko with family members who accompany them to Japan.
The Yonsei 32 girls’ team coaches are Ashley Yamashita and Mari Yamamoto. Coaching the Yonsei 32 boys’ team are Andrew Shigemasa and Kevin Kohler.
Players selected for the girls’ team are Keala Akiyama, Avery Diancin, Peyton Endow, Khloe Gani, Michaela Hylton, Brynn Motoyasu, Kimiko Nagata, Tyler Nakano, Kylie Sato, Tamina Suzuki, Erin Vuong, and Chloe Yoshikawa.
The boys selected are Kaden Gilbert, Joshua Ikemoto, Tysen Kanamori, Wyatt Mio, Micah Murata, Kai Nagata, Chase Nakata, Landon Nishi, Jared Saiki, Kenji Wooster, Justin Yonemitsu, and Evan Yoshizawa.
Players have been participating in monthly basketball practices and Japanese culture lessons to prepare for their trip. They and their families have conducted fundraising efforts by selling raffle tickets and Yonsei 32 T-shirts.
The program’s largest fundraiser, the Yonsei Golf Tournament, will be held on Monday, June 23, at Candlewood Country Club. The team is asking for the community’s support with donations for the silent auction and raffle prizes, or golfers to participate in the tournament.
Exhibition games showcasing the Yonsei 32 and Yonsei 31 teams will be held on Sunday, July 13. Anyone with questions or interested in supporting the program can email [email protected] or visit www.yonseibasketball.org.