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Stark Back at MSU After Summer Play in Spain

Stark Back at MSU After Summer Play in Spain
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By MSU Athletics
Aug. 23, 2017 | MURRAY, KY
By MSU Athletics Aug. 23, 2017 | 09:48 PM | MURRAY, KY
Murray State senior men's basketball student-athlete Jonathan Stark is back on campus following a week-long trip to play in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain.

Stark's unique experience was with Global Sports Academy as he was paired with his collegiate peers to go 4-0 during the week.

"This was a great experience for me to get to travel to Spain," Stark said before a recent workout at the CFSB Center. "I had never been on an airplane that long (eight and a half hours). When we got on the ground we went right into the tour, played a couple of games in Barcelona, and then drove about six hours to play in Madrid. I know the time change hit me, but it was fun."

Stark, who returns for his senior season in 2017-18, scored in the neighborhood of 15 points per game in the four games.

"I played some point guard and the No. 2 too," Stark said. "I think I played solid. It was good to play with guys that you're getting to know. But more than anything, it was good to get on the court again to play in a real game."

Playing by the international basketball rule book took some adjusting for the entire team.

"Yes, it was a big difference from how we play basketball here at home," Stark stated. "I think in the first game we played, our team had like 15 travel calls. One big thing over there is that you have to put the ball down before you take any steps. The European style of ball showed me that everyone is a good passer and everyone can shoot."

Stark, a senior from Munford, Tennessee, led the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring in the 2016-17 season with 21.9 points per game. He was second in the OVC with 5.2 assists per game and joined Jaylen Adams of St. Bonaventure as the only players in NCAA D-I to average 20 points and five assists per game.

Global Sports Academy conducts tours for college teams from the United States to countries all over the world to promote international competition and goodwill.  The young people on these trips also participate in community service projects as well as experience different cultures.

 

 

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