Day one kicked off with an unforgettable send-off at Central Cabarrus High School. What started as a routine evacuation drill quickly turned into a surprise pep rally, with the entire student body rallying behind Taj. As he made his way onto the football field, escorted by eight motorcycle cops, the stadium erupted in chants of his name.
After a few fun games and heartfelt words, it was time to head out—in true VIP fashion. A sleek limo, part of a full police escort, glided through town, with every intersection cleared to make way for the one and only Taj. Our first stop? A celebratory brunch at Maple Street Biscuit Company, where we indulged in a delicious meal and soaked in the excitement of the morning.
From there, it was off to the airport, where we boarded our flight to Los Angeles. Upon landing, Taj was welcomed in style—our LA driver greeted him with cookies and sweet treats, setting the tone for an unforgettable trip. At the JW Marriott, the surprises continued, with an array of sweets waiting in his room. After such an exhilarating start, we called it an early night to rest up and adjust to the time change—because the adventure was just beginning!
We kicked off our second day with a delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel—fueling up for another incredible adventure. First stop: Jumpman LA, where Taj was treated to a VIP sneaker experience like no other. He explored the store, carefully eyeing each pair of shoes, weighing his options before landing on the perfect one to take home.
Our visit didn’t stop there—we got a full-access tour of the entire Jumpman facility. From the sleek locker rooms and player lounge to the training gym and the iconic rooftop basketball court, every space felt straight out of a dream. We spent some time shooting hoops under the LA sky, practicing free throws and working up a sweat. To top it all off, Taj was gifted the sneakers he chose, plus a Jordan backpack and basketball!
Next, we made our way to the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton for an ultra-exclusive private lunch. And when we say exclusive, we mean exclusive. Two chefs were waiting to greet us—one walked us through a beautifully curated three-course meal, plating each dish right in front of us and even getting Taj involved in the process. For dessert, a chocolatier chef brought out the big finale: a Lakers-themed basketball sculpture made entirely out of chocolate, crafted with Taj’s help. It was as delicious as it was impressive!
After a bit of downtime back at the hotel, we wrapped up the day at COSM LA with an immersive viewing experience of the Lakers vs. Warriors game. Sitting just in front of us? None other than former Lakers star Nick Young—who happily snapped a photo with our VIP, Taj!
We kicked off day three with another breakfast all together—filling up before hitting the streets of downtown LA for a mouthwatering walking food tour. We made stops at five different restaurants, sampling some of the city’s best bites. From chocolate croissants and savory empanadas to satay chicken, creamy pumpkin ravioli, flavorful tacos, and donuts to top it all off—it was a culinary adventure from start to finish!
After a much-needed nap and some downtime at the hotel, it was time for the moment we’d all been waiting for: Lakers vs. Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena!
We were given early access—two hours before tip-off—so we could sit on the floor and watch the players warm up. Just when Taj thought it couldn’t get any better, he was handed a bag overflowing with Lakers swag, including a signed photo from both Austin Reaves and the one and only Bronny James. But the surprises didn’t stop there…
Taj got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to head down to the court, sit on the Lakers bench, and cheer on the players as they ran out onto the floor! Then, he and his family made their way to their seats just a few rows from the court, where they watched the Lakers dominate…and even got featured on the jumbotron!
It was truly a Dream full of unforgettable moments.
