Photo by: Brielle Moseley/GoDucks.com
WBB Foreign Tour: London Blog
08/22/23 | Women's Basketball
A daily blog detailing UO's overseas tour to London and Athens
This travel blog will be updated each day with highlights and photos of Oregon's overseas trip to London and Athens.
DAY 1 – DUCKS LAND IN LONDON | PHOTO GALLERY
A packed bus pulled out of the Matthew Knight Arena Parking lot around 8:30 a.m. Pacific time Saturday morning for PDX and, after a brief layover in Chicago, the Oregon women's basketball team, staff and guests touched down in London at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday local time. Once we cleared customs and grabbed our bags, we were off on a red London tour bus to the city center.
The guided tour bus took us from London Heathrow through the busy, winding city streets and over the River Thames, where we could see the London Eye, Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the Palace of Westminster. The flock got off the bus at Covent Square for some much-needed walking while enjoying the sights and sounds of the busy area. The group split up while some bought food, snacks or souvenirs while watching the many street performers.
After checking into the hotel, everyone changed for a welcome dinner at Browns Brasserie & Bar, where we enjoyed a delicious meal and good company after a long day of travel – and of course sang Happy Birthday to assistant coach Jackie Nared Hairston.
Gallery: (8-20-2023) WBB Foreign Tour - London Day 1
On tap for Monday is another guided tour with closer looks at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and River Thames before our first game on Tuesday against the London Lions.
DAY 2 – DUCKS DIVE DEEPER INTO LONDON | PHOTO GALLERY
After some much-needed sleep, the Ducks' tour bus departed the team hotel around 9 a.m. local time for the city center. Our tour guides Allen and Rob gave us some quick history lessons while pointing out landmarks and buildings of note as we headed toward the River Thames, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
Our first stop was at the River Thames for a brief photo op with some historical facts about the Tower Bridge and the surrounding area (fun fact: the previous version of the London Bridge was actually moved and now resides in Lake Havasu, AZ).
From there, we made our way to St. Paul's Cathedral and then onto Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard, which only happens every view days. We all had some time to explore the area around Buckingham Palace in Westminster, like the Queen Victoria Memorial and St. James's Park.
We were able to sneak a closer look at the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben is actually the bell inside the clock at Elizabeth Tower) and Houses of Parliament on the way to the next major stop at Camden Market.
Camden Market is a massive area filled with shops and a variety of food stands. The team was given some time to explore and shop in small groups and taste all the flavors the market had to offer. We were only able to see a fraction of it all in just a few hours, but what we did see was incredible.
After a boat activity on the River Thames Tuesday morning, the first exhibition game awaits on Tuesday evening against the London Lions All-Stars. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. PT) with the Ducks helping to put on a youth clinic prior the game, which will be a modified game with five 10-minute quarters. Two quarters will be against the London Lions and the last three quarters going up against a group of Women's British Basketball League selects (no broadcast).
Gallery: (8-21-2023) WBB Foreign Tour - London Day 2
DAY 3 – THAMES ROCKET & GAME DAY | PHOTO GALLERY
Finally on the third day of London, it was game day! But first, we still had one more tourist activity on the list: the Thames Rocket. After breakfast, we all bussed back down to the city center and loaded three speedboats by the London Eye (giant wheel) for a trip down the River Thames.
A tour guide and captain took us underneath all the historic bridges at a leisurely pace until we crossed the Tower Bridge, after which there was no speed limit, so we were able to reach speeds at around 30 knots. The ride allowed everyone to see all the unique architecture and buildings from city end to end, giving us a little different perspective from the bus rides we became accustomed to.
After a couple hours of free time, it was time to head to pre-game meal at the O2, which is a giant indoor shopping center that was constructed in celebration for the new millennium. The team ate at Jimmy's Buffet, which was a Vegas-style all-you-can-eat spread. From there, it was time to head to the University of East London for the first taste of European basketball.
Before the Ducks' exhibition, the players helped the London Lions' coaching staff with a youth clinic for young girls learning the sport from about 4-5 p.m. Everyone took part in teaching some drills and playing some competitive drills against each other. And as a bonus, we got to reunite with former Duck and England native Holly Winterburn, who plays for the London Lions.
The team then went through its warmup in preparation for two modified scrimmages, the first against the host London Lions. The sides played two 10-minute quarters before the Ducks took on a select team from the Women's British League, playing three 10-minute quarters.
Chance Gray paced UO with 16 points in 20 minutes against the Lions, as she finished with a team-leading 26 combined points across the two exhibitions. Grace VanSlooten added a total of 17 points while freshman Sofia Bell scored 17 of her 22 in game two. Junior center Phillipina Kyei added 14, with 10 coming in the second scrimmage.
On Wednesday morning we head back to London Heathrow Airport for the second leg of our journey in Athens, Greece, with the team around 5 p.m. local time. Two games await the Ducks in Athens, the first contest set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. PT) against EFAO Zagrafou B.C. The final exhibition will take place Sunday against Eleftheria Moschatou at 4 p.m. local time (6 a.m. PT).
The past three and a half days in London have been absolutely incredible and we can't thank everyone who made it possible enough. It was a trip we will never forget and we can't wait to see what is in store the rest of the week. Next stop: Athens!
Be sure to check our Instagram page, as a different Duck will have control over the team's Instagram story to give a behind-the-scenes look at the trip. Check back here daily for updated blogs after each day's activities. For even more content, follow Oregon women's basketball (@OregonWBB) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook.
Gallery: (8-22-2023) WBB Foreign Tour - London Day 3
DAY 1 – DUCKS LAND IN LONDON | PHOTO GALLERY
A packed bus pulled out of the Matthew Knight Arena Parking lot around 8:30 a.m. Pacific time Saturday morning for PDX and, after a brief layover in Chicago, the Oregon women's basketball team, staff and guests touched down in London at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday local time. Once we cleared customs and grabbed our bags, we were off on a red London tour bus to the city center.
The guided tour bus took us from London Heathrow through the busy, winding city streets and over the River Thames, where we could see the London Eye, Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the Palace of Westminster. The flock got off the bus at Covent Square for some much-needed walking while enjoying the sights and sounds of the busy area. The group split up while some bought food, snacks or souvenirs while watching the many street performers.
After checking into the hotel, everyone changed for a welcome dinner at Browns Brasserie & Bar, where we enjoyed a delicious meal and good company after a long day of travel – and of course sang Happy Birthday to assistant coach Jackie Nared Hairston.
On tap for Monday is another guided tour with closer looks at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and River Thames before our first game on Tuesday against the London Lions.
DAY 2 – DUCKS DIVE DEEPER INTO LONDON | PHOTO GALLERY
After some much-needed sleep, the Ducks' tour bus departed the team hotel around 9 a.m. local time for the city center. Our tour guides Allen and Rob gave us some quick history lessons while pointing out landmarks and buildings of note as we headed toward the River Thames, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
Our first stop was at the River Thames for a brief photo op with some historical facts about the Tower Bridge and the surrounding area (fun fact: the previous version of the London Bridge was actually moved and now resides in Lake Havasu, AZ).
From there, we made our way to St. Paul's Cathedral and then onto Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard, which only happens every view days. We all had some time to explore the area around Buckingham Palace in Westminster, like the Queen Victoria Memorial and St. James's Park.
We were able to sneak a closer look at the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben is actually the bell inside the clock at Elizabeth Tower) and Houses of Parliament on the way to the next major stop at Camden Market.
Camden Market is a massive area filled with shops and a variety of food stands. The team was given some time to explore and shop in small groups and taste all the flavors the market had to offer. We were only able to see a fraction of it all in just a few hours, but what we did see was incredible.
After a boat activity on the River Thames Tuesday morning, the first exhibition game awaits on Tuesday evening against the London Lions All-Stars. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. PT) with the Ducks helping to put on a youth clinic prior the game, which will be a modified game with five 10-minute quarters. Two quarters will be against the London Lions and the last three quarters going up against a group of Women's British Basketball League selects (no broadcast).
DAY 3 – THAMES ROCKET & GAME DAY | PHOTO GALLERY
Finally on the third day of London, it was game day! But first, we still had one more tourist activity on the list: the Thames Rocket. After breakfast, we all bussed back down to the city center and loaded three speedboats by the London Eye (giant wheel) for a trip down the River Thames.
A tour guide and captain took us underneath all the historic bridges at a leisurely pace until we crossed the Tower Bridge, after which there was no speed limit, so we were able to reach speeds at around 30 knots. The ride allowed everyone to see all the unique architecture and buildings from city end to end, giving us a little different perspective from the bus rides we became accustomed to.
After a couple hours of free time, it was time to head to pre-game meal at the O2, which is a giant indoor shopping center that was constructed in celebration for the new millennium. The team ate at Jimmy's Buffet, which was a Vegas-style all-you-can-eat spread. From there, it was time to head to the University of East London for the first taste of European basketball.
Before the Ducks' exhibition, the players helped the London Lions' coaching staff with a youth clinic for young girls learning the sport from about 4-5 p.m. Everyone took part in teaching some drills and playing some competitive drills against each other. And as a bonus, we got to reunite with former Duck and England native Holly Winterburn, who plays for the London Lions.
The team then went through its warmup in preparation for two modified scrimmages, the first against the host London Lions. The sides played two 10-minute quarters before the Ducks took on a select team from the Women's British League, playing three 10-minute quarters.
Chance Gray paced UO with 16 points in 20 minutes against the Lions, as she finished with a team-leading 26 combined points across the two exhibitions. Grace VanSlooten added a total of 17 points while freshman Sofia Bell scored 17 of her 22 in game two. Junior center Phillipina Kyei added 14, with 10 coming in the second scrimmage.
On Wednesday morning we head back to London Heathrow Airport for the second leg of our journey in Athens, Greece, with the team around 5 p.m. local time. Two games await the Ducks in Athens, the first contest set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. PT) against EFAO Zagrafou B.C. The final exhibition will take place Sunday against Eleftheria Moschatou at 4 p.m. local time (6 a.m. PT).
The past three and a half days in London have been absolutely incredible and we can't thank everyone who made it possible enough. It was a trip we will never forget and we can't wait to see what is in store the rest of the week. Next stop: Athens!
Be sure to check our Instagram page, as a different Duck will have control over the team's Instagram story to give a behind-the-scenes look at the trip. Check back here daily for updated blogs after each day's activities. For even more content, follow Oregon women's basketball (@OregonWBB) on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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G
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