Bruffey competes in Euro Slam with USA Athletes International Men's Basketball Team (Updated)
IRVING, Texas - Tanner Bruffey of the University of Dallas men's basketball team has been selected to play for USA Athletes International (USAAI).
Bruffey is one of ten college basketball players to comprise the summer 2012 edition of the USAAI team, a squad that will play games in Austria, Slovenia, and Italy.
"My teammates come from all over the the United States," Bruffey said. "The colleges that are represented include three players from Texas State University, and guys from Bethel College (Kan.), Cabrini College (Pa.), Vassar College (N.Y.), Oglethorpe University (Ga.), and Montreat College (N.C.)."
The 6-foot-5 junior guard will be providing blog-style updates about his experiences abroad, as he and his USAAI teammates trek around Europe to play a diverse group of athletes.
Entry 1 (06/04/12):
"Today we visited the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austia, before we played a semi-professional basketball team in Vienna.
The game went very well, and we won 105 to 67.
I was 5-of-9 from the three-point line for a total of 12 points. I had eight rebounds and four blocks. It was a great experience and all of the Austrians were extremely nice.
Later on that evening we all had dinner together. They were very interested in our culture and style of basketball.
The food has been great, and I have liked everything I have eaten. It is a little hard getting used to not having ice in your drinks or free refills though."
Entry 2 (06/06/12):
"Today we traveled from Klagenfurt, Austria, to Ljubljana which is the capital of a small country called Slovenia.
We played a team called KK Logo Grosuplje. This is a professional team made up of a mixture of senior and junior league professionals, along with other semi-professional players.
We lost 91-81.
I was 6-of-8 from the field, 3-of-3 from 3-point land, and had five rebounds and three assists. I also had a charge for Coach G (Matt Grahn), so i expect to see that on the hustle board!
The hardest part of playing here is adapting to the officiating and the extended 3-point line which spreads the floor more.
We turn the ball over a lot from travel calls that we honestly don't understand because we really don't know the rule.
Another reason we turn the ball over is from stepping out of bounds in the corner because there is only a couple of feet between the 3-point line and the sideline, which we are not accustomed to.
The views of the country-side are spectacular, and I enjoy our bus rides between countries.
Another thing I enjoy is the bread; it is phenomenal and is always fresh."
Entry 3 (06/12/12):
"I am back in America, now! I had an amazing trip, with unforgettable experiences.
I was unable to send updates the last few days because unlike here in the states, wireless internet is not always free and available.
Being in Europe definitely gave me more of an appreciation for the country I live in and I was glad to get back.
As a team, we ended up 4-1 overall.
Over all five games, I averaged 12 points per game, shot 42 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point land. I totaled 93 percent from the foul line, and also averaged six rebounds and three assists per game.
My teammates and coach were great and I enjoyed them all. I feel very blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to play overseas and it will be an expierence I cherish forever."
Click here for photos of Bruffey playing overseas.