Globe-Trotting Jayhawks: Sydney Umeri
From Aug. 8-18, the Kansas women’s basketball team and staff will embark on a 10-day foreign tour through France and Switzerland, as the Jayhawks aim to build team chemistry and grow together on and off the hardwood. Throughout the tour, which includes four games, a different player on KU’s 2016-17 roster will share what the team was up to each day while abroad.
Day 9 – Nice, France
Bonjour!
After a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, my teammates and I began a walking tour of Nice. We had a lovely tour guide, who explained the history behind the city, popular spots and much more. One of the things that I found most interesting about Nice is that there are two parts to it. There is Old and New Nice. As we walked along the sidewalk crossing over from New Nice to Old Nice, I could not help but think why I hadn’t discovered this part of the city earlier. I know we had only been in Nice for less than 24 hours at this point, but if I knew old Nice existed, I would have explored it even sooner.
The similarities between Old and New Nice were that they both had wonderful shopping, but there was something about Old Nice that really captured my interest. Old Nice just had more soul. Instead of having a bunch of small stores or even commercial stories, Old Nice had small shops unique to the area, as well as a market where vendors sold food, fresh fruit, spices, handmade goods, trinkets and other souvenirs. Also, the buildings and side streets seemed to be significantly smaller, adding to the sense of community I felt as I walked through Old Nice.
At the time I did not have any Euros to buy things at the market, but I went back later in the day with Jada Brown to pick up an oil painting that I had admired during our tour. She picked up one as well and we both got fresh fruits and other gifts for our families. While the tour and shopping was fun, I was really happy that my team, coaches and support staff paid tribute to the terror and tragedy that had taken place in Nice just a month prior to us arriving here. While we are here to enjoy our time, I was glad that we could stand in solidarity with the people of Nice and others all over the world who have been effected by acts of terror and promote peace.
All in all my day in Nice, France was fabulous and I am so glad we have one more day to explore!
Rock Chalk!
Sydney
Kansas concludes foreign tour with victory over Nice Select
Kansas women’s basketball wrapped up its 2016 foreign tour with a 113-27 victory over Nice Select on Tuesday afternoon in Nice, France. The Jayhawks head home from the 10-day trip on Thursday with a perfect 4-0 record while overseas.
KU scored triple figures for the first time on the trip to France and Europe and saw six Jayhawks record double-figure scoring performances. Kansas was led offensively by sophomore guard Kylee Kopatich, who ended the game with 17 points. She connected on five treys while also recording a pair of rebounds and three steals.
Junior transfer Eboni Watts tallied 15 points, second most on KU’s roster in the final game of the foreign tour. Watts also grabbed six boards against the Locaux. Redshirt sophomore guard McKenzie Calvert recorded 12 points and four assists. Seniors Timeka O’Neal andCaelynn Manning-Allen and sophomore Aisia Robertson completed the list of scorers in double figures with 10 each.
Up next Jayde Christopher takes over the blog for KU’s adventure to Monaco and final day in Nice.
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