Illinois contingent to join basketball tour to China

CHAMPAIGN - Three members of the Fighting Illini program will travel to China later this month to participate in a basketball exhibition tour.

Director of Basketball Operations Sean Harrington, a former Elgin High School star, will coach the tour team, which includes Illini players Dominique Keller and Alex Legion.

The trip is part of Sports Reach ministry. The team will depart for China on May 23 and return to the United States on June 4. The itinerary is being finalized, but current plans have the team visiting several cities and playing between seven and nine games.

"This is a great opportunity for Dominique and Alex, as well as Sean," Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber said. "Our players will benefit from the competition and extra playing time. But the chance to travel internationally and experience a different culture will have a greater impact than the games. This will also help Sean, who has the goal of becoming a coach and can use this trip as training for all of the decision-making that comes with a head coaching responsibility.

"Sports Reach does an outstanding job with its tours," Weber added. "Our players and assistants who went in the past enjoyed it.