NAU Hoops to participate in “Summer of Thunder” Bahamas Competition

Arizona Sports News online

A unique opportunity for Jack Murphy and the Northern Arizona University Men’s Basketball team will take them to the Bahamas in August. They will be among the teams participating the the sixth annual “Summer of Thunder” presented by the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

The event runs from August 2 – 25th and the motive for the Bahamas Basketball Federation is to expose local coaches and athletes to the international university style of play, while at the same time promoting the Bahamas as a vacation destination. In addition, this event hopes to provide local students athletes with the opportunity to scout these universities athletics programs for possibly further advancement of their education.

Each University will play exhibition games against local all-star, club and national teams. NAU will play two games, the first on  on August 12 vs. Commonwealth Giants and August 14 vs. IBA Elite.

“This trip is a great opportunity to continue the growth that we saw in the program last year and to help acclimate our newcomers into the Lumberjack Way of Life,” said Coach Murphy. “The guys are excited to be together practicing and looking forward to the chance to play competitive games against two talented Bahamian teams.”

Among the other University’s in attendance along with NAU include: University of North Carolina; University of Mississippi; Ohio State University; Morehead State University; University of Tennessee Chattanooga; Alabama State University; University of Kentucky; University of Cincinnati; Portland State University; Whitman College; Louisiana Tech University; University of Pittsburgh; and Stanford University.

All games will take place at the Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in the city of Nassau.