Bahamas trip adds summer practices, games

Grand Canyon will leave the baselines of GCU Basketball Facility to head to the shorelines of the Bahamas for all sun and games next month.

GCU will take advantage of the NCAA allowance for an international trip every four years by heading to Nassau, Bahamas, on Aug. 13-18 to play two exhibition games, hold extra practices, engage educationally in the community and culture and bond as a team with eight new players.

SummerOfThunder "With so many new players, it's great to be able to get some extra practices and games in the summer, so they can get acclimated to each other," GCU fourth-year head coach Bryce Drew said.

The Lopes last went to the Bahamas in 2018, but this "Summer of Thunder" at Sir Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium will be a first-time experience for every member of this team.

"It's like a team-bonding activity, so it's something that we're all looking forward to doing, playing a little bit and spend some time with each other," said GCU redshirt freshman guard Malcolm Flaggs, one of the newcomers. "Most of us have never been out there, so it's going to be a cool experience for sure.

"The chemistry on the team is already amazing, but I think that's something that'll definitely add to it and make it even better."

The NCAA permits the Lopes to have up to 10 additional days of practice leading up to the trip, giving them a head start on the season for acclimation and evaluation while building chemistry. Other college teams will participate in the 14-year-old event but are not permitted to play against each other.

GCU will play Raw Talent Elite on Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. (Phoenix time) and play Lucayans Basketball on Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. (Phoenix time), as arranged by the Bahamas Basketball Federation and the event organizer, Travel Sports International. Audio for each game will be streamed on GCULopes.com and the GCU Lopes app with play-by-play announcer Michael Potter on the call.

Other programs participating this year in Nassau are Creighton, Furman, Iowa State, LSU, South Carolina, Southeastern Louisiana, Texas A&M and Virginia Military Institute. Last year's event drew Kentucky, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Eastern Kentucky, South Dakota State, Appalachian State, Fordham and Manhattan.

The six-day trip and stay at Baha Mar comes at an opportune time for the program, which has eight new players and three returnees who missed all or most of last season for health issues. GCU is coming off its second NCAA tournament trip in three seasons under Drew and brings back 2022-23 All-WAC honorees Ray Harrison and Gabe McGlothan, as well as the return of 2021-22 All-WAC selection Jovan Blacksher Jr. following February knee surgery.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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