INDIANAPOLIS -
Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack do standout a little bit on their team now as they returned to Hinkle Fieldhouse Thursday afternoon.
Their not only freshman standouts nationally, but internationally as well.
"Everyday I'm there I'm playing against somebody good from different schools, and just work hard every day," said Mack, who along with Hayward helped USA Basketball's U-19 capture a world championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
"We go to Italy which we are really excited about," said Hayward, which he and Mack will join with the rest of the Bulldogs. "Being able to bond with everyone is going to be great."
Read: IndySportsNation.com Stories on U-19 World Championships
The team will make its way to Europe from August 4th through the 13th, visiting and playing in exhibition games Lake Como, Florence, Venice and Rome.
If Butler has its way, it wouldn't be a one time thing for the program.
"Barry Collier our AD has really talked about this and emphasized this ever since he came back was that we need to try and provide an exceptional student athlete experience, for the people that come to Butler," said head coach Brad Stevens about the travels of the Hayward and Mack along with the entire team's trip to Italy. "I want them to embrace learning about another culture, learning the language, learning the history, the unbelievable history of the country."
Read: Purdue's Hummel wins Bronze at World University Games
Its was something that Hayward and Mack got a slight taste of when they traveled to New Zealand over the past few weeks, though the transition wasn't as much as it will be in Italy.
"They spoke the same language which helped out a lot and everyone is really friendly over there which was really nice too," said Hayward of the culture change in New Zealand. "The food there was different that was one thing that was really unique. You go to McDonalds and a kids meal cup over here is like a regular size cup over there."
On the basketball side, its more about feeling out how other teams play the game and what it means to them.
"Hanging in the hotel, hanging out with different teams, how they appreciate basketball, and how much its a big part of their culture," said Mack of what he learned about the other players while in New Zealand
Read: College Basketball News
While Stevens says he wants his players to pick up these things when the head to Italy next month, he hopes their are some reciprocal education as well.
"When leave Italy I want Butler to ring a little louder in Italy. You want to spread the word about what a great place this is globally," said Stevens.
Their not only freshman standouts nationally, but internationally as well.
"Everyday I'm there I'm playing against somebody good from different schools, and just work hard every day," said Mack, who along with Hayward helped USA Basketball's U-19 capture a world championship in Auckland, New Zealand.
"We go to Italy which we are really excited about," said Hayward, which he and Mack will join with the rest of the Bulldogs. "Being able to bond with everyone is going to be great."
Read: IndySportsNation.com Stories on U-19 World Championships
The team will make its way to Europe from August 4th through the 13th, visiting and playing in exhibition games Lake Como, Florence, Venice and Rome.
If Butler has its way, it wouldn't be a one time thing for the program.
"Barry Collier our AD has really talked about this and emphasized this ever since he came back was that we need to try and provide an exceptional student athlete experience, for the people that come to Butler," said head coach Brad Stevens about the travels of the Hayward and Mack along with the entire team's trip to Italy. "I want them to embrace learning about another culture, learning the language, learning the history, the unbelievable history of the country."
Read: Purdue's Hummel wins Bronze at World University Games
Its was something that Hayward and Mack got a slight taste of when they traveled to New Zealand over the past few weeks, though the transition wasn't as much as it will be in Italy.
"They spoke the same language which helped out a lot and everyone is really friendly over there which was really nice too," said Hayward of the culture change in New Zealand. "The food there was different that was one thing that was really unique. You go to McDonalds and a kids meal cup over here is like a regular size cup over there."
On the basketball side, its more about feeling out how other teams play the game and what it means to them.
"Hanging in the hotel, hanging out with different teams, how they appreciate basketball, and how much its a big part of their culture," said Mack of what he learned about the other players while in New Zealand
Read: College Basketball News
While Stevens says he wants his players to pick up these things when the head to Italy next month, he hopes their are some reciprocal education as well.
"When leave Italy I want Butler to ring a little louder in Italy. You want to spread the word about what a great place this is globally," said Stevens.
