Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Potts returns from 2017 Reach USA Friendship Tour
6/6/2017 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Photo Gallery
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Blue Raider rising senior Giddy Potts recently returned stateside following a two-week journey to China with the 2017 Reach USA Friendship Tour, combining basketball with a cultural exchange trip as part of a 10-member team of college basketball players.
Potts and his teammates went 4-3 on the hardwood during the trip, winning three of their last four and finishing second in the Bridge Friendship Tournament in Hainan, China.
The 6-foot-2 guard led his team with 18.7 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. The Athens, Ala., native also averaged four rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.6 assists per outing.
Potts shined in the final game, tallying 21 points, six assists, five boards and a pair of steals, while his highest scoring output came in the second to last game when he rode five triples to a 25-point night to help lead the team to a pair of victories to close out the trip.
While his numbers spoke for themselves during the tournament, Potts raved about the experience gained from playing against professional basketball players from different nations.
"A lot of the guys we got to play against have a lot of experience different from what we are used to playing at the college level in the U.S., so they would talk to us a lot and teach us a lot even during the games," Potts said. "Playing against them helped us learn more about the game and what it could be like if we end up having the opportunity to play professionally overseas one day."
Outside of their scheduled games, the Reach USA team also spent time in Haikou City hosting basketball clinics for locals and even fit in a friendly exhibition game with some of the trip's sponsors.
Potts and his teammates did have a little time to explore as well, making a trip to the Great Wall of China and spending an afternoon at the beach in between games.
"The culture was just so different as far as the food, the people and the experiences," Potts expressed. "It makes you feel foreign, because you're the one who is from the outside and is there to learn and grow."
"Everything we got to do and experience like climbing the Great Wall and teaching basketball clinics with the kids over there was really incredible and an adventure I'll never forget."
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Blue Raider rising senior Giddy Potts recently returned stateside following a two-week journey to China with the 2017 Reach USA Friendship Tour, combining basketball with a cultural exchange trip as part of a 10-member team of college basketball players.
Potts and his teammates went 4-3 on the hardwood during the trip, winning three of their last four and finishing second in the Bridge Friendship Tournament in Hainan, China.
The 6-foot-2 guard led his team with 18.7 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. The Athens, Ala., native also averaged four rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.6 assists per outing.
Potts shined in the final game, tallying 21 points, six assists, five boards and a pair of steals, while his highest scoring output came in the second to last game when he rode five triples to a 25-point night to help lead the team to a pair of victories to close out the trip.
While his numbers spoke for themselves during the tournament, Potts raved about the experience gained from playing against professional basketball players from different nations.
"A lot of the guys we got to play against have a lot of experience different from what we are used to playing at the college level in the U.S., so they would talk to us a lot and teach us a lot even during the games," Potts said. "Playing against them helped us learn more about the game and what it could be like if we end up having the opportunity to play professionally overseas one day."
Outside of their scheduled games, the Reach USA team also spent time in Haikou City hosting basketball clinics for locals and even fit in a friendly exhibition game with some of the trip's sponsors.
Potts and his teammates did have a little time to explore as well, making a trip to the Great Wall of China and spending an afternoon at the beach in between games.
"The culture was just so different as far as the food, the people and the experiences," Potts expressed. "It makes you feel foreign, because you're the one who is from the outside and is there to learn and grow."
"Everything we got to do and experience like climbing the Great Wall and teaching basketball clinics with the kids over there was really incredible and an adventure I'll never forget."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballMTSU Men's Basketball Cinematic Recap Milligan and Webster
Tuesday, November 11
MTSU Men's Basketball Recap Milligan and Webster
Tuesday, November 11
Blue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - November 8th - Men's Basketball
Sunday, November 09
MTSU Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs Webster 11/8/25
Sunday, November 09
