Beyond the Court: Rolling Hills Prep Boys Basketball Travels to China

From July 30 through August 10, the Rolling Hills Prep Boys Basketball team traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, China for a 10-day trip that combined basketball, cultural experiences, and the opportunity to explore a new part of the world.

The trip was sponsored by Yelophant, whose generous support made it possible for our student-athletes to participate in this experience.

While basketball was an important part of the trip, the team spent just as much time learning about and experiencing Chinese culture. For many of the students, it was their first time visiting China, giving them the opportunity to experience a different culture, try new foods, explore historic sites, and meet students their own age.

Experiencing China

The team visited some of China’s most well-known landmarks, including the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Drum Tower, and Beijing’s historic hutongs. In Shanghai and Hangzhou, students experienced a different side of China, from the modern cityscape of Shanghai to the scenery and cultural traditions of Hangzhou.

Food was another important part of the experience. Students tried a variety of traditional dishes, including Peking duck, hot pot, and local street foods. They also participated in cultural activities such as carving their own stamp and learned to play jianzi, a traditional Chinese game similar to shuttlecock.

These experiences gave students the chance to step outside of their usual routines and experience everyday life in a different culture.

Basketball as a Common Language

The team also had the opportunity to play friendship games against two schools during the trip:

• Capital Normal University High School Affiliated in Beijing
• Hangzhou Linping No. 2 High School in Hangzhou

Although the students came from different countries and spoke different languages, basketball provided an immediate connection. Playing together gave the students an opportunity to compete, communicate, and get to know one another.

The games were about more than the final score. They gave the Huskies a chance to represent Rolling Hills Prep while building relationships with students on the other side of the world.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The trip provided learning experiences that couldn’t be replicated in a classroom. Students navigated unfamiliar places, experienced a different culture, tried foods they had never eaten before, and learned about China’s history and traditions firsthand.

They also had the opportunity to represent their school while competing internationally—an experience that required adaptability, teamwork, and an openness to new experiences.

The trip reflects each of Rolling Hills Prep’s Four Pillars:

• Disciplined Minds – Learning through travel, history, and cultural exploration.
• Sound Character – Demonstrating respect, sportsmanship, and curiosity.
• Healthy Bodies – Competing internationally and staying active through sport.
• Creative Spirits – Trying new things and embracing different perspectives.

More Than a Basketball Trip

For the Rolling Hills Prep Boys Basketball team, the trip offered much more than an opportunity to play basketball in another country. Students returned home with new experiences, stronger relationships with their teammates, and a greater understanding of a culture different from their own.

At Rolling Hills Prep, we want our students to have opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Experiences like this encourage students to explore the world, challenge themselves, and see how much they can learn when they step outside of what is familiar.

We are grateful to Yelophant for sponsoring this experience and giving our student-athletes the opportunity to learn, compete, and experience China together.

We are proud of the way our Huskies represented Rolling Hills Prep throughout the trip and look forward to seeing how they bring what they learned back to our campus this fall.

Go Huskies! 💙🧡