Geraud & Hayley
Wedding Party
Sarah Diaz
Bridesmaid
THE REINA. After discovering our mutual love of traveling, strong cocktails, and extensive spreadsheets planning anything at all, we have braved brazen bellhops in Istanbul, off-roading in Cuba, and lions in Kenya. I can't imagine having done those adventures with anyone else. Sarah definitely saved our lives with her Russian language skills (read: found a liquor store in Turkey) and is the only reason I'm still alive while globe-trotting our best life.
Chris Martin
Groomsman
5'10, Starting Small Forward. Raps Eminem during pre game warm up, manages team finances, roomed with Geraud throughout College (in charge of mouthguard distribution).
Paul Panasiuk
Bridesman
THE PARTNER IN CRIME. From having to sell our flip phone for bus fare in Colombia to staying in a terrifying $5/night "hotel" in Peru to getting lost in Amsterdam, Paul has always been my best friend (except when slinging ice bags of death), while sharing our ridiculous love of all things small and cute and fluffy. He is a genius best known for freaking everyone out by memorizing the Almanac for fun and remembering every. single. thing. even when he looks totally zoned out. Did I mention he's a doctor?! Ladies!
Rahim Ibrahim
Groomsman
5'7 Starting Shooting Guard. Jacks up ridiculous 3 pointers, handles player contracts and legal issues (often), and always wears the nicest shoes.
Mariya Shegda
Bridesmaid
THE SISTA. One of the smartest and kindest people I know, Mariya has been one of my besties since we were roommates in college. I could not imagine a better person to experience insanity with as Mariya has the cure to every problem - hysterical laughter. From driving up and down the Cali coast ruining every single photo to shameless wine chugging to carrying home absurdly drunk friends across the city, Mariya makes every experience better.
Ryan O'Holleran
Groomsman
6'1 Starting Center. Enormous butt good for rebounding, friendliest guy on the team, always reliable in big games, and master of payments-related issues (rarely useful on this fictional basketball team).
Kellie Winkler
Bridesmaid
THE O.G. Kellie is the most generous, selfless, and caring person I know with a true talent for making margaritas. We may or may not have narrowly escaped a hippie compound run exclusively by women that worshipped the Egyptian goddess Isis and ran around the woods at night with parrots, hula hoops, and exotic cats, and we definitely did not egg the house of someone who definitely deserved it. Kellie is the first person I'd pick to be stranded on a nude beach with.
Arlez Arrellano
Groomsman
6'1 Backup Power Forward and Team Party Manager. In charge of bottle service and club reservations, always a good time and positive attitude, notorious PS4 Cheater.
Anthony Estrada
Bridesman
THE CARNE ESTRADA. Truly one of the best friends a girl could ask for, Anthony is kind-hearted, fiercely protective of his friends, and is 100% down for that late night burrito. Ever since picking me up at the airport in California with a super judgmental comment about my 2 suitcases and cajoling me out for beer pong and house parties, Anthony has always had my back. Except when he nicknamed me "Uno" and made me lose at every Uno game ever.
Chris Swanson
Groomsman
6'3 Starting Power Forward. The young gun on the team - still has good knees, capable of dunking, and occasionally tries to bring his kite board onto the court. Consistently leaves the lights on at the gym even after practice.
Katlyn Nielson
Bridesmaid
THE HOMEGIRL. Katlyn and I were destined to be friends when we ditched our company-sponsored "buddy lunch" for a long happy hour and some watermelon crawl at Club Rodeo. This girl made California quickly feel like home and is totally selfless when it comes to her friends and is the least judgmental person (even when I octopus dance in a crowded bar), which I'm pretty sure is why she still takes me to country concerts.
Zun
Groomsman
6'1 Backup Center and Lead Analytics Guy. AKA The smartest dude on the team. Using his Amherst learnings, Zun game-plans and strategizes for the team. He also uses the patience gained from going to high school with Geraud to deal with bad referees, mischief making, and to subdue team infighting.
Daryn Portis
Bridesman
THE JAMES BOND. From the first moment he picked me up at the airport (completely confused at my lack of luggage moving from NY to CA) to giving me a bed and pillows and a desk and sustenance (I was kind of a hopeless case?!), Daryn has been the ultimate reliable, kind, generous friend that I am deeply grateful for. Daryn keeps the peace, has the BEST jams, fixes EVERYTHING, and will give you the shirt off of his own back if you need it (but that may be because he seriously has like 4,000 t-shirts).
Jessica Milano
Groomswoman
5'8 Backup Shooting Guard + Head of Film Department. Not sure I've ever seen Jessica shoot a basketball, but she is famous for an impeccable taste in music and movies. Team film sessions are typically spliced with horror movies that only her and G have seen. Does not help team record, but is always entertaining for her and G.
Jessica Brar
Bridesmaid
THE PARTY. I first met Jessica at Loring Ward, and I knew we were meant to be friends when she brought me hedgehog chocolates for my birthday! Whether we're drinking whiskey on the CalTrain, doing too many jello shots at Saddlerack, or missing Brantley Gilbert's main act because we had to get more beer and chicken fingers and lost track of time, I have always admired Jessica's fearless tenacity, love of life, adventurous spirit, and say-it-like-it-is realness. Still super skeptical of microwave bacon tho.
Steph McKillop
Groomswoman
5'4, Beverage and Cheer Captain. Always in charge of keeping the team energized and having fun AND providing a fresh cup of alcohol on sidelines. Directly responsible for our in-game dehydration but also for constant happiness and laughter.
Ashley Brandt
Bridesmaid
THE TWIN. We never stop making terrible (and hilarious) decisions, bringing half-eaten sandwiches to our crush in matching PJs in the Netherlands, and crashing Pete Wentz's bar in NY with WAY too many G&Ts immediately followed by THAT chili cheese dog. Oh, and that trampoline in the basement (hello, whale shirts!). While our friendship usually exclusively involves Ashley tripping and myself scream-laughing at absolutely nothing, Ashley is my oldest friend.
Juan Toledo
Groomsman
5'7, Drum Captain. Unfamiliar with the rules of American basketball, but a master at futbol, Juanito uses his immense drum talents to keep the team on beat and bring the crowd to their feet (nice rhyme eh?). A former high school rockstar, Juan can play 15 different versions of "we will rock you" at our games.