CEDAR FALLS - Northern Iowa's basketball program will become Team USA this summer.

The Panthers have been chosen to represent the United States at the World University Games, Aug. 7-18, in Bangkok, Thailand.

"I don't know if it gets any bigger than this," head coach Ben Jacobson said. "You talk about a tremendous opportunity for our program, for our university and for our community. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal."

In the past, USA Basketball has sent an all-star team of collegians to compete in the event. Duke's Sheldon Williams, Villanova's Randy Foye and Iowa's Greg Brunner were among the players who represented the country and won the gold medal two years ago. This year, USA Basketball decided not to organize a team.

Instead, USA Basketball contacted Basketball Travelers about finding a collegiate team, but it had to be a school's designated year to take an overseas trip. Division I programs are allowed a summer trip once every four years.

Nels Hawkinson, who heads up Basketball Travelers, contacted Jacobson about the opportunity three weeks ago.

Basketball Travelers organized the season-opening tournament that UNI competed in this past season in Seattle, Wash. It also is in charge of the Panthers' exempt tournament to start next season at the McLeod Center.

"I don't think we would have been asked to do this if Basketball Travelers didn't have a very high opinion of our basketball program," Jacobson said. "Nels has been very impressed with our players and how they handle themselves.

"He was very comfortable going to USA Basketball and telling them he feels great about the University of Northern Iowa and how we represent ourselves in competition and outside of competition."

UNI will take 11 players to Thailand in seniors Eric Coleman, Jared Josten and Adam Viet; juniors Travis Brown and Carlton Reed; sophomores Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Jordan Eglseder, Brian Haak and Adam Koch; and redshirt freshmen Kerwin Dunham and Josh Molstead.

The Panthers' three incoming freshmen - Brent Barz, Lucas O'Rear and Jonathan Montgomery - and junior college transfer Matthew Culliver aren't eligible to participate.

Graduated seniors Grant Stout, Brooks McKowen and Tyler Griffin could compete but won't.

"It's like a miniature Olympics," said UNI athletic director Rick Hartzell, who officiated the games in 1991 in Sheffield, England. "This is the greatest compliment that a team and its leadership can get."

As expected, UNI players were shocked by the invitation.

"A lot of guys thought Coach Jake was joking when he first told us," Coleman said. "Everybody's eyes lit up. We've been working real hard to get our program to where it's at today.

"We're taking this real serious. This is a chance not only to represent the U.S. but to represent us. We'll take the same approach as we do any regular-season game."

In 18 World University games, the U.S. has claimed 13 gold medals and posted an overall record of 125-7.

"This is as competitive as it gets," said Jacobson, who was an assistant coach when UNI went to Australia four years ago for its foreign trip. "You don't have an opportunity to do this outside of your playing season."

The Panthers will play four games in pool play, Aug. 7-10, followed by the championship round starting Aug. 12. Because of that, the Panthers have already adjusted their spring workouts.

"We've been going at it a lot harder in the spring than we normally do, since we've got to be ready to play in August," Coleman said. "We've been having some pretty intense workouts and lifts."

UNI will be allowed 10 practices before it leaves in early August. Tentatively, the Panthers will fly to San Francisco on Aug. 3 or 4. In San Francisco, organizers hope to have a dinner with the participants that will represent the U.S. in the various sports. From there, the team will fly to Bangkok.

"Part of the responsibility being asked to represent the United States is being extremely prepared and going in with the mindset of doing well and winning some games," Jacobson said. "We're not going over to just take in everything in terms of the experience itself.

"Our goal will be to win some games."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com