consulate events
American Basketball Players Capture Audience at Anatolia College
On June 6 five American members of a local professional basketball team Aris, accompanied by Deputy Principal Officer Elaine A. Paplos, visited the prestigious English speaking secondary institution, Anatolia College. Players Terrell Castle, Alex Scales, Mike Wilkinson, Kevin Fletcher, and Jeremiah Massey are the five American representatives of the Aris basketball team who previously pursued prominent college basketball careers in the United States, and are now continuing their professional careers as members of the Aris team. Each player gave a heartfelt presentation discussing their various backgrounds, what basketball signifies in their lives as a “passion and career”, and expressed how much they have enjoyed their stay in Thessaloniki. The presentations stressed the importance of education, the value of being open to learning from other cultures, and more importantly encouraged the primary school students to hone their talents through a rigorous work ethic and determination.
The fourth and fifth graders of Anatolia listened attentively to each personal anecdote of the players, following an exhibition of various basketball shots including three pointers and slam dunks of the imposing Aris contingency. The concluding activity was an animated ball handling interaction between the Aris team and the youth of Anatolia College.
The event helped everyone recall how basketball as an international sport, knows no cultural boundaries.
Link to relevant story - Aris Basketball Club Website