Kyle Wiltjer, the SEC’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is trying out for the team Canada will bring to the World University Games. (Chet White, UK Athletics)
Kyle Wiltjer will be following in his father’s footsteps this summer.The soon-to-be-junior is currently attending training camp in hopes of making the Canadian Development Men’s National Team. He and 15 fellow collegians are currently in Portland, Ore. – Wiltjer’s hometown – as Canada prepares for World University Games (July 6 to 17 in Kazan, Russia). Among those also participating are Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga), Melvin Ejim (Iowa State) and Brady Heslip (Baylor). Wiltjer, even though he was raised in America, is able to compete internationally for Canada because his father, Greg, is a native of the country. The elder Wiltjer played for the Canadian national team in multiple events, including the 1984 Olympics. Participating in training camp, an exhibition series in China and the World University Games – if he makes the cut – could provide Wiltjer quite the springboard as he looks to assume a leadership role on UK’s 2013-14 team.While Wiltjer trains for international competition, his UK teammates will be on campus for an eight-week summer session beginning early this month. Many of them were eligible for the Under-19 United States team, but opted to come to Lexington instead. Check out this story from Mike DeCourcy to read why.