Two Yeomen basketball players, sophomore Quinton Spencer and first-year Brad Spelich, are among 12 talented players chosen from all over the country to play basketball internationally in Barbados this summer. The two rising stars were chosen by USA Athletes International, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to giving athletes the opportunity to experience an international Olympic-style sporting event.

USA Athletes International gives athletes a chance to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through their experiences in international competition. While the invitation comes free of charge, Spencer and Spelich are required to pay $2500 for their airfare, room and board. Oberlin College Department of Athletics is unable to foot the bill because it constitutes a violation of NCAC rules.

UAI has been in existence since 1992. It was originally called the Midwest All-Stars — and baseball was the only sport offered — but over the years, it has developed and expanded. It now includes a plethora of sports like tennis, swimming, football and basketball.

Spencer and Spelich were selected by UAI to play for “Team USA” and compete in exhibition games. The trip is supposed to give the athletes an All-Star experience, much like the NBA All-Stars.

The selection offers a seven-day trip for the athletes, who are scheduled to play six games during those seven days. Their first game will be against Barbados, and they will proceed to play other teams from outside the country.

Spelich has already experienced a similar trip. The summer before his junior year of high school, he played basketball internationally for a team that traveled to Austria.

“Any time you’re picked for something like this, it’s a big honor,” said Spelich. “It gives you a chance to really get on the map; it’s a opportunity to learn.”

For Spencer, this would be the first time he has traveled outside the country to play basketball. Spencer is still uncertain as to whether he will travel to Barbados or not due to financial constraints. In spite of this hurdle, Spencer remains grateful for the opportunity, regardless of whether or not he ends up accepting the offer.

“Whenever you’re picked to play for an All-Star team, you’re playing against the best athletes in this division. It’s the best of the best. It will be nice just to get outside the country to experience something like this. It’s an opportunity that you try to take advantage of. If it doesn’t happen for me, I’ll continue to work hard over the summer,” he said.