LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky basketball players Jared Carter and Ramon Harris, along with other collegiate players, will travel with Athletes in Action (AIA), to Mali, Africa May 26 through June 7 to compete in a four nation tournament hosted by the Malian basketball federation. AIA is a global pioneer, innovator and servant leader in sport ministry
The team will be competing in the tournament against Mali, Ivory Coast and Guinea.
In addition to the tournament, the AIA team will use the platform of sport to connect with the athletes and share their ministry. Before arriving in Mali for the tournament the team will spend four days in Senegal at the SEEDS Academy, the best youth basketball training facility in Africa. The AIA team will not only have the chance to play against the Senegalese national team, but they will be a part of the training facility education program.
Harris started 25 games for UK this season averaging 4.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg, while Carter saw action in 12 games averaging 0.8 ppg and 0.7 rpg.
?This trip will not only be a once in a life time experience to play against top African athletes, but it?s a great way to interact with other athletes with the same beliefs,? said Carter. ?My goal, while in Africa, is to build relationships with other athletes and to share my life experiences with people from around the world.?
This unique opportunity will provide the AIA team a chance to interact with and minister to elite players from different countries and to train athletes and coaches to more effectively build spiritual movements through the platform of sport.
?This trip to Africa will give me the opportunity to play overseas, impact change in another community and allow me to help people grow in their spiritual journey,? said Harris. ?Many college and NBA players that I respect are members of AIA, and I am proud and honored to be a part of something with such a rich history.?
Athletes in Action was founded in 1966 by Dave Hannah, who desired to build on society’s great love of sports and utilize the platform given to the athletes to reach the world for Jesus Christ. For more information on Athletes in Action, visit .
