Broncos Announce Foreign Tour in Canada
6/16/2023 9:52:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State men's basketball will travel to Canada for a foreign tour this summer, playing three exhibition games in Canada, July 29-August 4, taking part in international competition, cultural experiences and various team-building activities.
"This is an incredible opportunity for our team," said head coach Leon Rice. "With the experience we have coming back from last year's team along with our newcomers who can make an immediate impact, it will be so beneficial for our team to hit the ground running before the fall. This is a great way for the players to acclimate to one another while gaining international experience."
NCAA rules allow teams to take a foreign tour once every four years. Teams participating in a foreign trip are also permitted 10 practice dates in advance of the trip. Boise State is expected to begin practicing in mid-July.
This will be the second foreign tour in Rice's tenure as head coach and the first since the Broncos traveled to Costa Rica ahead of the 2016-17 season.
Boise State will travel to Vancouver on July 29 for games against Trinity Western University (July 31) and University of the Fraser Valley (August 1), before heading west to continue the tour in Kamloops, Canada for a game against Thompson Rivers College, August 3.Â
"The ability to offer a foreign tour is an incredible component of the student-athlete experience we strive to create at Boise State," said athletic director Jeramiah Dickey. "We're in full support of the benefits this trip can provide Coach Rice and his program, and I am grateful for the support Bronco Nation has provided over the years to create opportunities like this."
The Broncos are coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for only the second time in program history – first since 1993-94. Returning for Boise State are All-Mountain West selections Tyson Degenhart and Max Rice, alongside starter Chibuzo Agbo. The Broncos will field an experienced squad in 2023-24, with the roster featuring a combined 564 appearances and 273 starts at the NCAA level entering the season.
