Louisville women's basketball raising money for season-opening trip to Paris
Louisville women's basketball is scheduled to play UCLA for the first time this season, and the game undoubtedly will be memorable.
The teams are taking part in the 2024 Aflac Oui-Play Event on Nov. 4 at the Adidas Arena in Paris.
Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz didn’t hesitate when presented with the opportunity, citing the invaluable experience it’ll be for his young team.
“We're going to make it a cultural experience for them as well,” he said. “If you're making a trip like this, you want to make sure that you're getting the kids out to see everything, to experience it. You're not just going to play basketball.”
Not only will it be the Cardinals’ first meeting with UCLA but it’ll also be the first time some players leave the country and first college basketball game for the seven freshmen. Anaya Hardy, Isla Juffermans, Reagan Bender, Imari Berry, Mackenly Randolph, Izela Arenas and Tajianna Roberts are all expected to make their debuts for U of L on a foreign-yet-neutral floor.
“We're going to be young, but I've been very encouraged about what I've seen so far, and there's no doubt we'll make great strides from now until that first game,” Walz said. “.... As I've always said, it's not going to dictate or decide if we're going to make it back to a Final Four or not, but it's going to give us a good litmus test to know where exactly are we (and) what do we have to do to continue?”
Playing in France isn’t free, however. The Cardinals are planning various fundraisers to raise $100,000 toward the nearly $300,000 trip. Part of that effort includes a French-themed fundraiser dinner for 26 people prepared by North of Bourbon Executive Chef Lawrence Weeks.
“It's not an inexpensive little endeavor here,” Walz said. “But I thought for the opportunity for our players to give them this experience, to be able to go abroad to play a team of the quality of UCLA on a big stage. I mean, it's not just a national stage. It's a worldwide stage, so really excited to put our brand out there, to put the University of Louisville out there as well.”
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville WBB: Jeff Walz team preps for season-opening trip to Paris
