Both the men’s and women’s Kansas basketball teams will go global this summer. Find out where each squad will be traveling to.
For the first time in several seasons, both Kansas Jayhawks basketball programs will embark on international trips. The men’s team will spend one week in Puerto Rico beginning on Aug. 1, while the women’s team will spend ten days in Italy and Greece between Aug. 6-16.
NCAA Division I teams are allowed to take excursions to foreign countries every four years. Men’s basketball played exhibition games in Italy in 2017, but their trip had been put on hold due to COVID-19 complications. Women’s basketball toured France and Switzerland back in 2016 and was supposed to take their next one in 2020, but similar issues arose.
Bill Self and his group will go to Puerto Rico next week. The Hall of Fame head coach confirmed that they would face the Bohemian National Team, which could feature NBA players Buddy Hield and Kai Jones. Two other local Puerto Rican teams will also play the Jayhawks.
After finishing 25-11 (9-9) and winning the Women’s NIT, Kansas women’s basketball has tall expectations heading into 2023-24. They retain the majority of last year’s talent, such as standouts Zakiyah Franklin and Taiyanna Jackson.
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The lady Jayhawks will compete in an exhibition contest in Rome on Aug. 9. They’ll also spend time in Sorrento and the Colosseum in Rome. Then, the team will make their way to Athens, Greece, to play their second and final friendly match. Head coach Brandon Schneider’s squad will visit the Acropolis and Parthenon on their way.
Coach Schneider had this to say in a recent press release:
"“Our international trip has been on hold since 2020 and our team is looking forward to taking the trip. We are very excited about the 10 practice days and the opportunity to get a jump start on developing chemistry and camaraderie on and off the court. We look forward to the educational experience a trip like this can provide as we will visit some of the most historic sites and venues in Europe,” the women’s Kansas basketball head coach said."
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