Since 1991, Global Sports Academy (GSA) has been arranging tours for college and youth teams from the United States and countries around the world to promote international competition and goodwill. Not only do athletes learn valuable lessons through participating in their respective sports in other countries, but they also enjoy the experiences of a lifetime by being exposed to different cultures, languages, and environments and performing community service while abroad.

Coaches who travel with GSA equally benefit from participating in such international competition, honing their coaching skills and learning about international play, as well as having an opportunity to work with new talent or share valuable additional playing time to learn the assets and challenges of their teams. For athletes and coaches alike, the opportunity to engage in dynamic, international competition is professionally and personally enriching. And Coaches go for FREE.

SMU Director of Basketball Operations Jay Duncan shared his thoughts on his time overseas with Global Sports Academy:

1. How did you come in contact with Global Sports Academy?
During my time at Villanova – we sent several student-athletes with Global Sports Academy. This continued with our guys at SMU.

2. What was the primary reasons(s) for your choosing to travel with Global Sports Academy, such as for professional development, international recruitment opportunities, etc.?
Professional development – The opportunity to take the head-coaching role. Getting to travel to Europe is a very nice perk.

3. How were the players selected for your team?
Mostly from relationships (coaches and players) I had throughout college basketball. Current players and players who transferred from SMU.

4. What countries did you visit and what was your daily activity schedule?
We visited 4 countries – England, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands. Each day we would visit a city, tour the city center or landmarks, and typically played a game that evening.

5. How competitive were the games, and how do you think that the players benefited from the experience?
We played 5 games – 2 were competitive – the other 3 we had far more talent than the opposition. However, my team was mostly high major division 1 talent.

6. What challenges did you face having players from different universities as well as with international play?
The guys had to get used to the physical style of play and the traveling rule being quite different in FIBA. But they had no problem gelling at a team.

7. What were some of the highlights for you as a cultural experience?
Getting to see all the different cities. Really enjoyed the major cities we went into – Brussels, London, Amsterdam.

8. How did you benefit professionally and/or personally from this experience?
Loved the opportunity to be a head coach. It is my first time in that role and it is such valuable experience for what I can/need to work on.

9. Would you travel again with Global Sports Academy and recommend this program to other coaches?
Yes, I will definitely take another team with GSA in the coming years. Appreciate the opportunity Coach Blumenthal gave me!

For more information, please visit: Global Sports Academy