Tennessee basketball players Armani Moore and Josh Richardson are making separate mission trips to the Dominican Republic this summer as members of touring collegiate hoops squads.
Moore, a rising sophomore from Kennesaw, Ga., will join a team sponsored by SCORE International May 24-29.
The Tennessee-based SCORE International organization has been sending groups on short-term mission trips for 28 years. Between games, Moore and his teammates will participate in outreach projects in Dominican communities, orphanages and churches.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like over there and meeting some of the kids there,” Moore said. “Basketball-wise, I want to work on taking care of the ball and improving on my dribbling and ball-handling. Those are the main things I want to try and focus on.”
Richardson, a rising junior from Edmond, Okla., is playing on an Athletes in Action team Aug. 8-18.
Last summer, Richardson played on an Athletes in Action team that toured Germany and Poland and posted a perfect 6-0 record. He is excited to make another trip with AIA.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Richardson said. “These trips are a great opportunity to experience different countries and cultures. I’m trying to expand my game, and playing for teams like this can really help a player’s confidence.
“I want to work on my outside shooting and improve my 3-point percentage. I also want to work on my drive, getting all the way to the rim.”
Athletes in Action is a global pioneer, innovator and servant leader in sport ministry. Since 1966, AIA has committed to sharing a victory beyond competition that is found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tennessee assistant coach Kent Williams was selected in 2010 to serve as head coach for a team of Division I student-athletes during an AIA summer tour of Poland. His squad finished the tour undefeated.
Since enrolling at Tennessee in the summer of 2011, basketball has given Richardson the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, Maui, Poland and Puerto Rico.
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