The Indiana University men’s basketball squad is set to travel to Lima, Peru, later this month as part of the FISU America Games, a biennial tournament that showcases the continent’s top collegiate talent.
For the first time, the Hoosiers will wear a specially designed kit that blends the familiar crimson and white of Indiana with the stars and stripes of Team USA, each jersey bearing both the IU and United States logos.
A dual identity on the court
The Hoosiers will face off against national teams from Peru, Brazil, Argentina and several other countries, with the tournament running from July 20 through August 1.
Two players on the roster, Samet Yigitoglu and Clemens Sokolov, will be unable to compete because, despite their skill, they are not U.S. citizens and therefore do not meet eligibility rules for the American contingent.
In the weeks leading up to departure, the team has been training with the official FIBA‑approved basketballs used in international competition, a deliberate step to acclimate to the sport’s global standards.
A preview match against the Canadian college Collège Jean‑de‑Brébeuf is scheduled for July 15 at the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and the game will be open to the public with free parking available in the surrounding lots.
The FISU America Games, inaugurated in 2018, have quickly become a key stepping stone for athletes eyeing future professional opportunities, and this year’s edition promises to blend fierce competition with a celebration of cross‑border sporting camaraderie.