Bogues and Holyfield Headed to Brazil to Compete in FISU America Games
7/13/2018 4:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Rising seniors are two of 10 players on AIA-based USA team headed to South America
FISU America Games
Athletics in Action
USA Team Roster/Info
Brazilian Federation Facebook Page (live streaming of select games, schedule TBA)
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - While SFA men's basketball rising seniors Shannon Bogues and TJ Holyfield are already set to make an international trip to Ireland along with the rest of the Lumberjacks to play in the 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic, the pair has received an additional chance to step foot on foreign soil this year.
Bogues and Holyfield are gearing up for a journey to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the duo will represent the United States in the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) America Games from July 20-29. Athletes in Action (AIA), the sports ministry branch of Cru Ministries, organized the team that will be competing in Brazil.
Bogues and Holyfield are just two players on the AIA-USA Team's 10-man roster which is one of seven teams from North and South American competing in the games. Squads from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay (Pool A), Columbia and Mexico (Pool B) also comprise the seven-team event with USA's team placed in Pool B. All games are set to be played at the Brazilian Paralympic Center, but before the team heads to South American they will convene in Xenia, Ohio, on Saturday, July 14 for a five-day training camp.
Brazil is the second international destination Holyfield will visit in conjunction with AIA. Last year, prior to his junior season, the Albuquerque, N.M., product headed to East Asia with the organization.
"I loved the change of scenery and being immersed in a completely different culture when I was in East Asia last summer and I'm fortunate to have received another opportunity to be involved with AIA this summer," Holyfield remarked. "I experienced different foods, different languages and had to adapt to my new surroundings. The bonuses are playing competitive basketball against other countries and building connections with other people."
For Bogues, a native of Killeen, Texas, this will be his first international excursion.
"When TJ started telling me about this opportunity, I just felt so much excitement," said Bogues. "I really wanted to join him and see a different part of the world for the first time."
Coaching USA's team is AIA veteran head coach Morris Michalski who has never had a great degree of difficulty finding players to play in the AIA events.
"Honestly it's far more difficult to recruit coaches since July is such a heavy recruiting time for them," Michalski stated. "Players are often times in their summer sessions and at that time who isn't looking for a fresh battle to fight, an adventure to live or personal growth in their lives."
The FISU Games is a macro sports festival for athletes ages 25 and under. Many of the nations in North, Central, and South America will participate. The Games will unfold 26 men's and women's sports over a nine-day period with each sport playing for a gold medal. AIA has been chosen to field a team representing the USA in the sports of men's and women's basketball as well as men's and women's volleyball.
Concurrent with the Games, AIA will conduct a compassionate aid event targeting the poor of Sao Paolo, washing feet and outfitting Brazilian children with new shoes. This will be done in partnership with Samaritan's Feet (www.samaritansfeet.org). AIA Basketball will also host basketball clinics/camps as opportunities arise. The goals of this tour include providing a rich cross-cultural experience for each team member, championing selfless service, bringing good competition to some of the best teams in this hemisphere, spreading a message of 'Victory Beyond Competition' and 'Audience of One'.
Both Bogues and Holyfield were key cogs for the 'Jacks as juniors in 2017-18. The pair helped SFA capture the program's fourth Southland Conference Tournament title in the past five seasons, resulting in the 'Jacks' fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. SFA posted a 28-7 record and possesses the nation's best home-court winning percentage since 2011-12 having lost only four home tilts since then.
Season tickets for the 'Jacks' 2018-19 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased at SFATickets.com. For all the latest news on SFA men's basketball and all other Lumberjack and Ladyjack sports, visit SFAJacks.com and follow SFA Athletics on Facebook (SFA Athletics) Twitter (@SFA_Athletics) and Instagram (@SFA_Athletics).
Team USA Roster | FISU American GamesShannon Bogues • SFA
Eli Cain • DePaul
Plandrous Fleming • Charleston Southern
Markus Golder • Valparaiso
TJ Holyfield • SFA
Drew McDonald • Northern Kentucky
Joshua Nebo • Texas A&M
Tayler Persons • Ball State
Frederick Scott • Rider
William Wampler • Wright State
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