FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Two Clovis West High School basketball players are back home after an unforgettable trip to China, where they competed in an elite Nike showcase and met NBA superstar LeBron James.
Melania “Lonnie” Warren and Ramey Chapman were invited to join top players from across the country for the all-expenses-paid experience, which included games in Shanghai and Chengdu.
“We started off in Shanghai with practice and a game, then went to Chengdu where we played the same team again in a different arena,” Warren said. “Then we played Team Rise, which is LeBron’s team.”
The highlight came when James himself showed up to watch them play.
“It was a star-struck moment,” Chapman said. “We couldn’t believe he was actually there.”
The players said the trip was about more than basketball. They soaked in the culture, built friendships and gained confidence competing on an international stage.
“It definitely gives me a lot of confidence that I can play at multiple levels with different people,” Warren said.
“I was really happy to have the opportunity to go to a different country to play basketball and do something I love,” Chapman added.
The team battled jet lag in their first game but settled in by the second matchup, showing their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
For Warren and Chapman, the experience was about more than the scoreboard, it was about growth, connection and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the court under the watchful eye of one of the game’s greatest players.
For sports updates, follow Stephen Hicks on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.