Following the lead of Brandon Linton and his trip to Spain in 2008, senior Keith Murray and junior Rey Jefferson of the Clarkson University Men's Basketball team, and senior Michelle Reddinger and junior Sierra Noles of the Women's Basketball team traveled to Europe for an experience of a lifetime with the USA Athletes International group.
In 2008, Linton journeyed to "the Continent" and the experience helped shape an impressive 2008-09 campaign for the Golden Knights. Apparently, the Clarkson University name made an impression, as four athletes were invited to play for USAAI in 2009.
Reddinger, a Liberty League All-Star in 2008-09, and Noles, the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2007-08, traveled to Ireland to compete for their country. The only loss in five games came against the Ireland National Team which will be competing in the European Championships this August.
"It was one of the best experiences I have ever had," Reddinger said. "The game is much more physical overseas and playing against bigger, stronger girls showed me the level of aggressiveness that I should strive for this upcoming season."
"Even when were weren't playing basketball, we always were doing something that embodied the Irish culture...(including) kissing the Blarney Stone," Noles added. "It was hard leaving Ireland because it was so beautiful, but most of all it was hard leaving all of my teammates and the new friends that I made over there."
While the women traveled to northern Europe, the two men went further south, playing in Italy. Their team, competing in the USA-Italy Continental Cup,
went 3-2, losing only to a pair of professional teams by three (83-80) and two points (92-90), respectively, including a last-second shot. Jefferson admitted that "our stats look great because we played NBA rules (with) 12-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock," but regardless the numbers are eye-popping. Jefferson averaged 22 points per game to lead his team, while Murray produced his consistent all-around performance that Clarkson fans have come to expect with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest.
"It was amazing experience to travel overseas and to compete for my country," Murray explained. "The fact that the competition was different, actual game play was different, and how the team was assembled from players from all over with a new coach definitely impacted my individual game as well as prepared me for what to expect in the upcoming season. This trip has helped me focus more on leadership and team unity when approached with new challenges and environments."
Jefferson agreed with Murray's assessment: "To experience something or even get an opportunity to do something like that is priceless," Jefferson said. "I was completely taken by the history, scenery, food and the people. I had a wonderful time with my teammates (we played with two of our rivals from Hobart in Tim Llewellyn and Mark Bruce) and getting to know them outside of basketball was cool. I only hope that I can work hard enough so that one day I can play pro ball over there."
USA Athletes International, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international Olympic-style sporting events throughout the world, while also allowing them to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through the experience. For more information on USAAI, please check out its website here.