When University president Julio León says “international mission”, this probably isn’t what he has in mind. Junior shooting guard TJ Britton will be wearing a jersey this summer that is not green and gold. It will be red, white, and blue.

Britton will be participating in the USAAI (USA Athletes International) Bajan Friendship Series in Barbados this summer. Bajan is a popular term used for a citizen of Barbados. Every summer the USAAI selects a team of players from every college division including the NAIA to travel overseas and conduct basketball camps and play in exhibition games.

“I don’t know what I will be teaching in the clinic,” Britton said. “I think they are going to watch us play for a while and then decide.

“They said that they thought I was a good slasher and ball handler.”

There are only 10 players selected to play on this team. The players hail from Minnesota, Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. Britton is the only player from Missouri going on the trip.

“I was the only player from the conference selected to play” Britton said.

“That’s crazy because we had some of the highest scorers in division II in the MIAA but, only I got picked.” Britton said.

The team will meet in Atlanta on June 23rd and fly to Barbados the next day.

They will then practice together, in front of crowds, for three days and hold the clinic on the third day.

After the clinic there will be a four day tournament.

“At USA Athletes International we’re not only searching for the best skilled athlete on the court, but that same individual must be an ambassador who will represent their educational institutions, USA Athletes International, and the United States in a respectable manner” William Edington, president of the USAAI said.

“It should be a very positive experience,” head basketball coach Robert Corn said. “We have sent some players in the past and it has always proven to be a good experience.”