An adventure of a lifetime took place for one local basketball player, as Powell Panther and Cody resident Eli Dallman made the trip overseas in July to take part in international basketball in the United Kingdom.

Dallman, a sophomore, found the opportunity to participate in the overseas trip via the NBC Basketball program, which hosts camps throughout the U.S. The program took a group to the United Kingdom after a selection process.

“I went to a couple basketball camps last summer [2023] and one was in Spokane, Washington,” Dallman said. “My coach from out there nominated me to be a part of the international travel team. After I was nominated, I had to go through an application process with an interview and other references from a coach and a mentor and they made their selections after that.”

After going through the application process, Dallman joined with seven other select players, heading overseas to take part in a number of games.

He said the group played about 13 games, with most of them being regular five-on-five competitions, with some three-on-three games mixed in.

Dallman said his team only lost twice, both close games against older players, while they won many high scoring games, including a 71-17 victory.

“We also had a day of other types of competitions against our own team and other boys from the area and I won the 3-point contest,” Dallman said.

He said the team spent a few days in Liverpool, before heading down to Blackpool and Preston for a couple of days and finishing the trip in London against harder teams.

Playing overseas Dallman said the game was slightly different from the United States, as they played on a NBA-sized court, while the officials and trash talking were different.

“The referees don’t get as picky and they don’t really call much so it really allowed all of us to just play and not hold back in fear of getting fouled out,” Dallman said. “Trash talk and excessive celebration was actually encouraged and they viewed it as part of the game, but everyone was very respectful after the game and everyone was super chill.”

After playing against a different style of basketball, Dallman learned more about his game, earning more confidence with each possession.

“I think I have learned to have more confidence in my abilities and to not get hung up on mistakes, as we are all going to make them, and be able to move forward,” Dallman said. “My coaches encouraged me to make a decision and then follow through with it and at that point not worry about whether it is the ‘right’ decision or not. This helped me get out of my own head when I was shooting and allowed me to make better decisions and shots anyways.”

Outside of basketball, Dallman and his team visited various sites throughout the country, with Dallman particularly enjoying Big Ben and the Tower of London — less so the London Bridge.

“I was a little letdown by the London Bridge, I don’t know what I was expecting, but definitely more than it was after singing the song when I was a kid,” Dallman said jokingly.

He added that the tour guides they had were a lot of fun, and told them stories that most tourists don’t get to hear.

“I also enjoyed the environment of the games and getting to visit with talented basketball players from there,” Dallman said. “I really had a great time and loved the accent.”

He said that it was weird being away from his family, but felt it was an important trip, as he was grateful for the opportunity and the confidence that his coaches had in him.

Now heading into his sophomore year Dallman is hoping to contribute to the Panthers and continue growing as a player throughout the upcoming season.

“I really am focusing on getting stronger with my defensive game and becoming a stronger finisher at the rim,” Dallman said.