Men’s Hoops Goes Global

Westmont men’s basketball competes in a memorable cross-cultural athletic exchange in Taiwan from July 28 to August 2. The Warriors open the five-game BLIA Cup tournament against teams from the Brian Kerle Basketball Academy of Australia, the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and the Hou Chon Sports Club of Macau, China.

“It’s a tremendous head start on the season,” says second-year head coach Justin Leslie. “We’ll get the opportunity to practice together and play five games against really good teams before most programs even play their first scrimmage. It gives us a chance to identify our strengths, discover areas we need to improve, and prepare for the season in ways you normally can’t.”

The Warriors, who stay in an Olympic Village-style compound alongside global teams, will prioritize cultural immersion over court performance alone. “That shared experience is something you really can’t explain the value of until you’re a part of it,” Leslie says. “It expands their worldview and puts them in situations where they’re uncomfortable, and that’s where tremendous growth happens.”

The overseas flight is a first for many of the players, but veteran guard Braedon Bigott competed in the BLIA Cup while a player with Midwestern State University. “My first experience in Taiwan was packed with lifelong memories,” Bigott says. He is encouraging his current teammates to try different things without hesitating. “Whether that’s the food, activities or learning a bit of their language, the best way to get the full experience is to embrace their culture,” he says. 

Leslie is familiar with the tournament as well, having won two BLIA Cup championships. “There are outstanding teams in this event, and there will be players who go on to play professionally. We want to test ourselves now so we’re prepared for the games that matter most later in the season.”