IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s basketball team will travel to Europe in mid-August to compete in six exhibition games.
The Hawkeyes will play two games against the London Lions at the Copper Box Arena in London on Aug. 13 and 14. The exhibition on Aug. 13 is closed to the public, while the contest on Aug. 14 is open to fans. The exhibition contests will mark the Lions’ first basketball game at the Olympic Park since last year’s games.
After a couple days in London, the Hawkeyes will travel to Paris to take on the AMW All-Stars on Aug. 16, and St. Quentin on Aug. 17. Iowa is slated to conclude its trip in southern France against Hyeres-Toulon (Aug. 19) and Fos-Quest (Aug. 20). Game times are subject to change.
Iowa returns 12 letterwinners, including four starters, from last year’s 25-13 squad that finished runner-up in the NIT and sixth in the Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes add incoming freshman guard Peter Jok and sophomore transfer Jarrod Uthoff to this year’s roster; both are eligible to practice and travel with the team to Europe.
The trip will be particularly special for junior center Gabriel Olaseni, who is a London native. Olaseni’s parents will be able to see their son play in an Iowa uniform, in person, for the first time.
Before the Hawkeyes depart, the NCAA grants teams 10 practices to prepare.
