A basketball doubleheader between New York University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University on Friday night that was televised throughout China and on ESPNU in the United States did not disappoint.

Playing in front of an estimated crowd of 1800 people at the Fok Yong Tung Sports Center in Shanghai, this was an event that went sooooo much deeper than sport.

The hosts came out ahead in both games, as the Shanghai Jiao Tong men defeated their NYU counterparts 73-56 followed by a victory in the women's game 69-64.  

In an initiative to promote cultural exchange between young people around the world through sports, the CAMPUS Invitational 2024 came to fruition after months of planning. Hosted by Great Sports Media Co., Ltd. and supported by ESPN, the Invitational was intended to attract the attention of basketball fans around the world and become one of the major events that strengthens China's international cultural exchange.

The games followed a week of activity for the NYU contingent, which included stops at the U.S. Consulate of Shanghai, Shanghai Tower, the Urban Planning Museum in People Square, and NBA China Headquarters. 

Scott Walker, the U.S. Consul General in Shanghai, was just one of many dignitaries to attend the festivities on Friday night.

"It feels surreal to have flown across the world less than a week ago and tonight to battle together while proudly representing New York University," said NYU women's Head Coach Meg Barber. "The organization that went into the event and the people both here and back home that have supported this vision from Day 1 can't be underscored. It was a premier international basketball event and we are very very proud to have been a part of it."

Barber's 2023-24 Division III National Championship squad gave its hosts all it could handle, battling to the final seconds. Last year's Division III Player of the Year, Natalie Bruns, picked up where she left of by leading the Violets with a game-high 26 points.

"The competition in this game was probably among the top two in my career," Bruns suggested. "The atmosphere was nothing that I had ever experienced before. We knew that this was going to be a big moment culturally to bridge two teams across the Pacific Ocean, but we didn't know exactly the scale until we got here and I can say that everything exceeded my expectations."

The standout for NYU in the men's game was the team's leading returner scorer, Zay Freeney, who led the way with a game-high 23 points as the Violets' valiant efforts came up short.

"There was nothing coming into this trip that could have prepared me for how special this was," Freeney explained. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we were given. This might not have been the result that we wanted, but we never stopped competing. This time in Shanghai has been nothing short of amazing."

As the teams move forward and prepare for their 2024-25 seasons, there is no doubt that the extra playing experience and the team bonding opportunities on this trip will prove to be invaluable.

"This game and this trip has widely exceeded my expectations. I have been blown away," said NYU men's Head Coach Dave Klatsky. "The result tonight was not what we wanted, but this week has been bigger than basketball. Our guys will grow from it.

"Just an incredible experience."