Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is one of 12 NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalities that will tour to the Persian Gulf, May 23-29, for Operation Hardwood II. The 12 men will coach military basketball teams featuring the best military players who will compete in a championship tournament.

?This is such a great way for us to show our support of the troops stationed in the Middle East right now,? Smith said. ?My father was in the military, and it?s always been important to me to support military causes. I look forward to taking part in this wonderful tour with some top-notch people in college basketball.?

The Nike-sponsored event was started last year in conjunction with the United Service Organization (USO) and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) to bring morale, welfare and recreational services to the US military personnel and their families.

Other coaches participating in the tour include Texas? Rick Barnes, US Military Academy?s Jim Crews, Alabama?s Mark Gottfried, Michigan State?s Tom Izzo, Navy?s Billy Lange, Charlotte?s Bobby Lutz, South Carolina?s Dave Odom, Indiana?s Kelvin Sampson and Maryland?s Gary Williams. Also participating is Reggie Minton with the NCAA, Jay Bilas from ESPN and Fox Sports broadcaster Leann Tweeden.

Smith just completed his ninth season at Kentucky where he?s won an NCAA Championship, claimed five SEC Championships and five SEC Tournament titles. He also claimed his 350th career win this season.