PASADENA, Calif. (Mar. 18, 2021) - Our next team trip feature is a throwback to the men's basketball team's 2014 international trip to Spain.
As retold by Head Coach Dr. Oliver Eslinger:
[Watch the highlights video here: https://youtu.be/VYgKrwRSI2A]
Seven years ago the Caltech men's basketball team took the program's first-ever international trip, a journey to Spain that not only provided lifetime memories but jumpstarted the beginnings of a new Beavers era on the hardwood. Highlighted by three straight wins against club teams in Catalonia and expeditions to a number of historic sites in and around Barcelona, the tour spanned the Institute's spring recess from March 20-29, 2014.
After a late arrival in Barcelona Friday evening, the Beavers enjoyed the weekend with tours of the stadium built for the 1992 Olympics, Castillo de Montjuich, the Torres vineyard, and the seaside town of Sitges.
On Monday, the team took to Montserrat, a majestic sacred mountain that affords splendid views of the Catalonian landscape. The "serrated mountain", home to the world renowned L'Escolania Choir, was certainly a highlight.
"The scenery was spectacular," said Bryan Joel, now the lead assistant men's basketball coach for the University of Chicago and an NABC 30 Under 30 recipient. "The hike to the Black Madonna along the mountain was like something I've never seen in the States."
By Monday night, it was time for Caltech's first game. Basquet Neus, based in Santa Coloma de Gramanet, welcomed the Beavers bus with a wall of fans outside the gym. The game itself opened erratically as Caltech tried to adjust to FIBA rules. With a 24-second shot clock, a difference in officiating, and varied timeout regulations, the (jet-lagged) Beavers struggled to find a rhythm and found themselves down by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter. A valiant comeback highlighted by a Joel steal and 3-pointer got them to within 3 before ending the game down 68-64. However, a jubilant celebration with all of the hometown fans and players from Neus offset any sense of a scoreboard setback.
"I've never had someone ask me for my jersey before," said Joel in reference to the "fiesta" finale.
Hugs and handshakes, photographs, and autographs were all part of the post-game festivities.
"I really didn't expect it, but it was amazing", said Nasser Al-Rayes, now an engineer for Exxon who played professional basketball upon Caltech graduation. "I've never experienced anything like it and I really felt like we won a national title or something."
A respite from games on Tuesday provided the opportunity for a trek through the soul of Barcelona. Everyone traversed the city, shopped, and experienced the European way. From the intricate Gaudi buildings to the Port Olimpic to eating Tapas to walking the Ramblas, it was a day of discovery.
"My favorite thing was being able to explore the city and experience the different culture while interacting with others," said Kc Emezie, who went on to work at Uber and is now heading up his own startup.
The next three nights featured three games, but Caltech maximized its time in Catalonia and continued its adventure to incredible sights. On Wednesday, the Beavers ventured to the medieval walled town of Hostalric and enjoyed an authentic and festive lunch in the town. From there, the team toured the botanical gardens in Lloret, built in the style of the Villa D'Este Roman gardens.
"The atmosphere, the perspective, the company. Just all too much to even put into words," said Dr. Oliver Eslinger, Caltech's head coach.
That night, Caltech took on its second opponent in Badalona, Basquet Circol, and it was a game that won't soon be forgotten. Played at the sight of the 1992 Dream Team's practices, a good sized crowd welcomed Caltech. After Circol jumped out to a quick lead, the Beavers settled and found their stride. Led by Al-Rayes' 27 points and 16 rebounds, Caltech claimed a small advantage heading into the second half before Bryan Joel's deep, shot clock beating trifecta helped seize the victory. The crowd fell into a frenzy as the teams exchanged exciting plays before Caltech capped the win, 72-69. Joel scored 20 points.
"It was epic," said Coach Eslinger.
Thursday featured a trip to Girona, a beautiful city with ancient Roman walls, rich in historical significance. Players walked and shopped, and simply enjoyed being in such an unbelievable place.
In the evening, the Beavers travelled to Terrassa to take on Sferic Basquet, and they didn't disappoint. A strong first quarter featured 24 Caltech points, led by Lawrence Lee and Joel, and the Beavers maintained control for much of the half. But Sferic stormed back and the game was close throughout the second stanza. The Beavers, behind the strong play of Ricky Galliani, now a machine learning engineer at Tinder, and Andrew Hogue, who is now developing his Xama App, muscled their way to victory, 57-52.
Friday was the final full day of the tour and the Beavers spent the day in Tossa de Mar, a picturesque getaway town that features the last remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast. The players hung out on the beach and dined on another delicious, three course lunch highlighted by popular spanish dishes like paella, cured meats, and croquettes.
Friday night, Caltech looked to extend its international winning streak to three games as the team took on Club Basquet Ripollet, the best and most experienced club team it would face. In a standing room only gym, the Beavers translated a spirited warm-up that featured a dazzling display of dunks into the first quarter. On the backs of Lee, Hogue, and Al-Rayes -- who took advantage of the goaltending allowance -- they sprinted out to a 10-point lead, forced an early home team timeout, and never looked back.
Caltech remained in complete control and received tremendous play from everyone, including an offensive onslaught by Galliani. Emezie's driving dunk to begin the fourth quarter brought the crowd to its feet and gave Caltech a 25-point lead. When Ripollet made one last charge, David LeBaron, now a machine learning engineer at Eversight, Inc., manufactured a nifty layup that stunted any thought of an American letdown. The Californians claimed a 64-50 win. Every Beaver played in the game, the third straight victory for Caltech.
As the week wore on, Caltech adjusted quickly to the faster paced action and how the games were officiated.
"Being a long way from home, and unfamiliar with the territory, forces a group to unite," said Coach Eslinger. "The officials actually call traveling here if that pivot foot comes up before the ball hits the floor. That was an obvious distinction."
With four, 10-minute quarters, a European football-based style of play, and the fact that only the head coach can call a timeout via the scorer's table, subtle differences added up to big changes in strategy.
On the week, Emezie (9.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) shot 54.9 percent from the floor and blocked 5 shots. Joel (12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2 spg) was 15 of 31 from 3-point range. Al-Rayes (11.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg) was one rebound shy of averaging a double-double.
"Even though I spent most of my life playing international basketball, after only a season of intense, competitive college ball, I was playing within the style I've been developing at Caltech," said Al-Rayes. "But basketball is basketball, it doesn't matter where you are, you just need to play."
"The trip was a great bonding experience for the team as a whole," said Emezie. "It helped us build some momentum to carry into (the) next season."
Hogue (6.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and Galliani (6.3 ppg, 4 rpg) enjoyed the physical brand of basketball and played great all-around games.
"The best thing about the trip was being able to vacation and play competitive basketball at the same time," said Galliani. "It was a rare, special opportunity."
The Beavers, who out-rebounded every Catalan club, averaged 64.5 points per game and held opponents to 59.8.
"Throughout the trip we were able to get really close off the court," said Joel in 2014. "This was very valuable because most of the team (was) made up of freshmen."
When recently asked about that time, Joel stated: "I was thrilled that our program and athletic department was willing to do something so elaborate and unique just to give our players an awesome experience. I also loved the fact that we got four more games out of it and 10 days of practice. That organized and competitive time at that time of year was an awesome bonus and definitely helped us going into the following season."
Dave Briski, who was a Caltech assistant for four years and now is head coach at the International Sports Academy at Andrews Osborne in Ohio, recalled the scene:
"When we went to Spain in 2014 we took a bunch of young men out of their comfort zones. To see them flourish and thrive in a new environment was beautiful to watch. It ended up being the foundation to what would transpire with the program for the next two years and beyond. The Spain trip truly changed what Caltech Basketball was, and ushered in a new era that has been built upon each year since."
"The trip to Barcelona really brought the team together. Traveling together and experiencing a foreign culture was extremely valuable," added LeBaron. "The extra games we played also served to get us fired up for the next season. I am very grateful that I got to experience such a trip."
Galliani recently said: "We didn't win many games in the 13-14 season but Spain gave us a lot of memories and camaraderie to build on in the years to come. We grew a lot over there as teammates and friends. It was one of the highlights of my college experience."
Caltech, with no seniors on the squad, returned every player in 2014-15 and continued its evolution with strong player development, commitment, and sustained competitiveness. Prior to 2015, the Beavers won one conference game over the span of 29 years. Since, they've won 32 with a record-setting 9-7 season in 2019-20.
Upon recent reflection, Hogue said: "Back then, to get to explore a new country and be in such a different environment with the guys than the Caltech we were used to felt like an entirely different kind of team bonding and chemistry taking place. Now it's pretty crazy to look back on the generative effects of that trip. It was a unique step towards the direction the program is headed now, and also helped foster some of the lifelong friendships that have come out of Caltech Basketball."
Emezie reverberated: "The Spain trip was one of the defining parts of my Caltech career. It was inspiring to be able to cross borders with the game of basketball, especially since I was able to do it with some of my closest friends. Looking back on it, that trip serves as a representation of the diversity of individuals I've been introduced to because of basketball. I have made lifelong friends from all over the world and was able to experience new cultures and I'll always be grateful for having had that opportunity."
"It took a few years to realize how special it was to take such a fun trip and immerse myself in another culture with all of my best friends," Joel added. "To experience so much for the first time together was so much more significant than if we were all to spend time in California together or if I were to have traveled alone. On a surface level it was a blast, but, in retrospect, it definitely added depth and substance to our friendships in a way only certain experiences can."
"Back then, it was a chance to travel to a really cool city and play against Spanish competition," Al-Rayes said just last week. "It was the ultimate team-bonding experience. Now, it's lifelong memories. It's stories that my best friends and I still laugh at. It's a reminder as to why basketball is the greatest sport in the world."
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