One-on-one with her father helped Natalia DiPaolo’s love of the game of basketball.
That love helped grow a passion for the sport and it paid off this summer as Natalia helped the USA U-16 team finish second in the United World Games.
What You Need To Know
- Rome Free Academy student Natalia DiPaolo helped the Team USA squad bring home a silver medal in the United World Games
- She said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience
- A trip, she says, helped solidify her love of the game
“Everyone was so excited for me saying, 'Oh, congratulations and everything,'" DiPaolo said. "It sucked that it didn't get gold. But still, silver is still awesome. Everyone was still excited and proud for me.”
A similar finish to Utica-Proctor’s Gianna Schmidt, who helped her U-19 team to a silver medal.
“It was definitely awesome," DiPaolo said. "A good experience and everything.”
Hooping at a high level and soaking in the cultures. A trip that fostered memories of a lifetime
“We got to eat in like a castle restaurant, which was really awesome," DiPaolo said. "The view of the sunset was so beautiful. There was a lot. It was like so much to take in at just one time and like just trying to experience it. Everything, the basketball, the time difference was tough.”
She forged new friendships on and off the court.
“I was over there freaking out because of the time difference and everything, and they were over here just like helping me and everything," DiPaolo said. "It was really worth it. Making new friends, experiences and everything.”
But more importantly, it was an opportunity to grow her game against international competition.
“I say my game is a little better than it was before," DiPaolo said. "Definitely learned a couple new moves and everything. New words on how to call things and everything. Definitely helps you experience different rules and everything. How different teams play, how different coaches, coach and just helps you experience and help make friends and everything.”
