Deandre Ayton (left) and Arizona players shoot around before students at Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy in Nassau, Bahamas on Nov. 21, 2017.
Arizona and other Battle 4 Atlantis teams are stationed at the massive Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which is basically a Las Vegas-style playground with a semi-tropical beach attached.
But before the Wildcats had much chance to look around, they took a 15-minute shuttle bus ride Tuesday morning to the real Bahamas: At Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy in a residential section of Nassau, they talked, dunked, shot 3s and taught students to make the Wildcats’ “WC” hand signal.
Nassau native Deandre Ayton raises his hands the highest during the UA’s visit to Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy in the Bahamas, while some students signal the Wildcats’ “WC.”
It was a good time for both sides. The children screamed while watching local hero Ayton dunk on their outdoor court, they listened to Miller preach about academics, and the older ones took part in a question-and-answer session with Ayton inside a classroom.
“We had a chance to do some fun stuff and play basketball with them and really make their day — which was really enjoyable for us,” guard Allonzo Trier said. “And Deandre, we’re excited for him being able to come back home and be around so many family and friends and so many supporters that he brings for the Arizona program. It’s really exciting for him and we’re excited for this tournament.”
