CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Women's Basketball student-athletes
Harmoni Turner and
Gabby Anderson and Harvard Men's Basketball student-athletes
Chandler Piggé and
Thomas Batties II wrapped up their time with the 2024 USA-China College Basketball Team Exchange Activity from August 5-12 at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
The itinerary for the U.S. contingent on the exchange included cultural exploration and sightseeing, a campus tour, and educational business opportunities alongside practice and competition on the basketball side.
August 6 – First Full Day in China
After landing in Beijing on August 5, the group spent its first full day in China on August 6, beginning the day with a campus tour prior to lunch and the contingent's first practice of the trip. Following dinner, the group gathered for a roundtable discussion to tip-off the week.
August 7 – Business Exposure Opportunities
On Wednesday, the group visited Tencent – a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate and holding company that is one of the highest grossing multimedia companies in the world. After another training session, the contingent gathered for a lecture on "The Chinese Economy: Prosperity and Prospects."
August 8 – Cultural Exploration
Thursday marked a day devoted to cultural exploration and sightseeing as the team visited The Great Wall of China as well as the Summer Palace – an imperial garden during the Qing dynasty.
August 9 – Final Game Preparation
On Friday, the teams completed their final practices in the morning ahead of Saturday's games. In the afternoon, the group visited Ernst and Young's office in Beijing for a meet and greet.
August 10 – Game Day
Saturday served as the trip's game day with the U.S. and China-based contingents mixing to play games on both the men's and women's sides at Tsinghua University Gymnasium.
August 11 – Last Full Day in China
On Sunday, the group spent its last full day in China with some final sightseeing – including visits to Qianmen and Shichahai Park – before beginning the return journey home on Monday.
August 12 – Departure
The core aims of the exchange – with a theme built around The Unity Cup – were to deepen cultural exchanges between China and the U.S., further enhance basketball competitive levels, and cultivate sportsmanship and international perspectives among the younger generation. Through this platform, the organizations hope to build a future-oriented network of young partners, promote communication, build friendship within the youth communities of China and the U.S., and lay a solid foundation for future cooperation.
