One Coach. Six Tours. Thirteen Years.

In 2013, Canyon Crest Academy registered for an international basketball tour, choosing our Swiss-Italy Route. The trip began at Europe’s largest basketball camp before continuing through Milan and ending in Rome. In typical tour fashion, ABN handled the basketball part of the tour, while another company handled the airfare, the ground transportation, the guides, the touring, and the meals. The team ended up sleeping every night an hour away from their contests, and were late on 4 occasions to matches. It was very frustrating as I had no control. The coach, I felt, was obviously not happy with how the logistics were.

A year later, the same CCA coach contacted me and asked if I would organize another international tour, with the condition that I do not outsource anything. We agreed that I would build the tour around the team and their desires, not around a brochure plan. That the coach would have final say on all decisions.

In 2015, we traveled to Spain. By working directly with airlines, hotels, bus companies, restaurants, and basketball clubs, we eliminated the middleman. The result was a savings of nearly $1,500 per traveler AND providing a more personalized experience.

More importantly, we planned the trip together.

We discussed destinations, selected hotels, balanced travel days with basketball, and timed the itinerary to experience local festivals and events. Every decision was made with one goal in mind—creating the best possible experience for the players. That became our tradition. A tradition that has continued to this day.

In 2017 we explored Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Played Junior National team of DK and and International Tournament created in Berlin.  In 2019 we traveled through Malta, Sicily, and southern Italy, again playing National teams, select regional teams, and actually visiting the home of Pizza!

Our 2021 tour was canceled by COVID, but the relationship never disappeared.

Then, after several quiet years, I received a text message.  “…Ready: Let's go."

Those two words led to a wonderful tour of Portugal in 2024 ( National Teams) and another unforgettable journey through Hungary, Austria, and Croatia in 2026 ( NBA Academy/EYBL teams)—Canyon Crest Academy's sixth international basketball tour.   Today we are already talking about 2028.

People sometimes ask why teams keep coming back. I don't think it's because of basketball alone. It's because every tour belongs to the coach and the players. My role is simply to listen, make recommendations, solve problems, and help create an experience that fits their goals and their budget. I am there every minute of the journey. The safe spot. The fixer. The American who speaks to them like an American.

ABN has never tried to become the biggest tour company. My goal has always been much simpler: to help young people discover Europe through basketball.

Basketball opens the door. The journey is what they remember.