The Basketball Embassy would like to thank all of the players (and parents), coaches, volunteers, guest speakers, sponsors, donors, and everyone at Our Lady of the Lake University for once again making Assembly 2018 a big success! We challenged our campers with a packed schedule, and we sincerely hope that all of them left with an increased knowledge of how to become the best version of themselves on a basketball court and beyond.
For our fourth annual Assembly, we brought in by far our largest collection of diverse cultures -- players and coaches represented 12 difference nations, including the U.S., Canada, Guam, Kosovo, Romania, Portugal, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Armenia, Lithuania, and Georgia.
One of the most inspiring parts of Assembly each year is the way kids from various backgrounds integrate. This year was no exception. We were proud to witness the diverse groupings of our campers not only on the court, but walking on campus, eating meals, and watching their fellow campers' games together. They truly embodied what it means to be great ambassadors to the game.
The power of this integration is immense. If you were to have asked, for example, our American participants about Kosovo before camp started, most would have possessed only passing knowledge of its existence. Now they'll tell you they have friends there; suddenly, Kosovo means something to them in a real way. This is the the reason we want to continue producing camps like Assembly, both domestically and abroad. Sharing a basketball creates friendships that break down barriers and erase divisions between groups -- and its especially powerful with our youth. The common love they have for basketball overshadows minor differences. In the words of TBE Founder Chris Dial: "These kids aren't our problem; they're our hope."
We invite everyone to read our United We Hoop initiative, and join us in uniting basketball players and fans. Assembly lasts just one week, but spreading a positive message of unity can be done year round.
