Cameron Cates, general studies business freshman, has just received his passport in the mail; but, he isn’t traveling outside the U.S. on vacation this summer. He’s playing basketball.
Cates, originally from Dallas, was selected to represent the United States in the USA Athletes International basketball team. The USAAI is a program that provides college athletes the opportunity to participate in international basketball tournaments around the world.
Cates was selected from a list of college athletes across the United States to participate in this tournament from June 16 – 24.
He is excited about the opportunity to play tougher competition, but his biggest thrill is leaving the country for the first time.
“I think it’s going to be a cool experience because I’ve never been out of the country,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to play with people from around the country and against people from other countries.”
Cates feels honored to have made the team.
“I’m honored. I was surprised my coach asked me over some of the older players. It means a lot to me to see he has all this confidence in me,” Cates said.
Michael Giorlando, head basketball coach and athletic director, and Joey Steibing, Wolfpack assistant basketball coach, nominated Cates to play for the U.S. international team.
“We are always looking for ways to help our guys improve and this opportunity in Argentina will help Cameron’s performance in a number of ways,” Steibing said.
Steibing, who coached the Qatar national team from 2003 – 2007, believes, Cates will benefit greatly from his time playing against international competition, since international players are known for their aggressive play.
“Playing in Argentina will help Cameron improve defensively,” Steibeing said. “We also need him to improve his perimeter game, and the international experience he is about to get will help him with that.”
Steibing also talked to Cameron about what he will face once he arrives .
“He told me to expect a different style of play. Their style of basketball isn’t as fast-paced and is more defensively minded,” Cates said.
According to Steibing, Cates possesses skills that will benefit him and help him in Argentina. His good, outside shooting will be something he will continue to develop. Steibing believes that with the level of competition this tournament will have, Cates will only improve his game.
“Coach Steibing told me their style of basketball is based more on fundamentals,” he said. “Over there I’m going to play better competition so these two things should help me improve in many aspects of the game,” he said.
Now that Cates has taken care of getting a passport, he said he wants to focus on contacting those he will be spending time with in Argentina.
“I’ve been trying to contact some of the other players through the e-mails listed on the roster,” he said. “I also plan on doing a lot of running when I go home for the summer because I don’t want to show up over there and stink (it) up,” he said.
Giorlando sees this as a great opportunity for both Cates and Loyola.
“It gives both of them recognition,” he said. “It’s going to be a great experience for him to play international competition and it’s also a great opportunity for Loyola to get its name out there, and I think he’ll be a great ambassador for Loyola,” Giorlando said.
Cates hopes to become an improved player who will help the Wolfpack win in whatever way he can.
