Krystkowiak to coach Pac-12 All-Star team through China

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Utes basketball head coach Larry Krystkowiak will lead a team of Pac-12 All Stars on a tour of China, the conference announced Friday.

The All-Star tour will consist of a four-game tour through China as part of the conference's Globalization Initiative starting Aug. 10. Runnin' Utes players Jordan Loveridge, Brandon Taylor and Jeremy Olsen will all take part on the tour, which consists of a 13-man roster from 10 of the 12 schools in the conference.

"It's an honor to have the chance to represent the University of Utah and the Pac-12 in China this summer," Krystkowiak said in a statement. "This is a great educational experience for everyone involved and I can't wait to work with this select group of outstanding student-athletes."

"It's a privilege and I feel honored to be a part of a team like this. I have an opportunity that I want to take full advantage of," Taylor said. "Seeing the different culture with different people. I am excited to experience the lifestyle and interact with the culture."

The all star team will play a Chinese university all-star team and three games against teams in the Chinese Basketball Association, including the Shanghai Sharks, which is owned by former NBA All-Star Yao Ming. The team will also play the CBA regular-season champion, the Guangdong Southern Tigers, which is lead by former NBA player Yi Jianlian.

Olsen, who was in the gym when coaches told him he was selected to participate on the team, said he is looking forward to having a familiar face coach the team.

"It definitely makes things better because I know where the coach is coming from. I won't have to learn a different style or new philosophies," Olsen said. "Another plus is that I get to have more time learning from coach Krystkowiak."

"It means a lot," Taylor said of having Krystkowiak coach the team. "That's my head coach and I have a feel for who he is and the coaching style already in place."

Olsen said he's looking forward to meeting the rest of his teammates and touring the China.

"I think the level of competition, in games and practice, will be beneficial," he said. "I can't wait to get to know the guys. Going over to see China is just really exciting. I've been to a few countries already. But hopefully we get to see the Great Wall of China."

The conference announced the tour in March, with conference Commissioner Larry Scott saying the initiative was intended to showcase the conference in addition to partnering with China.

"The Pac-12 and our universities are proud to be pioneers in China," Scott said in March. "This event is a great step forward for our initiative designed to use sport and cultural exchange to support the international strategies that many of our universities have embarked on to extend their reach into China and promote good will between our two countries."

In addition to its four-game tour, the athletes will participate in youth clinics.

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