LOS ANGELES - The Old Dominion women’s basketball team traveled to JR286 to hold an inter-squad scrimmage before taking in the sights at Angels Gate Park and traveling north to Malibu for dinner at Spruzzo’s Restaurant and Bar.
JR286 is a practice facility that is also used by the LA Sparks known for its impressive murals of famous Los Angeles athletes (and Michael Jordan) that encase the basketball court, the Monarchs participated in an inter-squad scrimmage which lasted over an hour.
Afterwards the squad headed to a park that could be coined as a “Hooper’s Dream”. Angels Gate Park is located in San Pedro, California and sits on a cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The women’s basketball team admired the setting and took shots at the park's basketball court before grouping together to take a team picture.
ODU women’s basketball head coach DeLisha Milton-Jones stopped and explained to the players about the tragic wildfires that occurred in Los Angeles last year before the team departed JR286. On the way up the Pacific Coast Highway, the bus passed by many burnt down and dilapidated homes while heading to the team dinner. Milton-Jones asked the players to think about what happened in this area, teaching the players that they get to play a game that they love and that this is real life. She knows they will inevitably encounter hardship in their lives and wants to give them experiences to help during those times of need. Coach Jones wanted to help the players reflect on all the things they do have that others may not.
The Monarchs are starting off their Thursday morning with a hike to see the Hollywood sign before enjoying a team building activity. ODU women’s basketball round out their second-to-last night in the City of Angels with dinner at the rooftop pool of Hotel Indigo.