Kansas Guard Sherron Collins Not Going to USA Basketball World University Games Trials

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s basketball senior guard Sherron Collins has decided not to participate in USA Basketball’s World University Games Team Trials due to family concerns, Collins announced Monday.

“I was really looking forward to going,” Collins said. “But with my family situation taking place in Chicago, it would be hard for me to be out of the country at this time.”

Collins was scheduled to go to the USA Men’s World University Games Trials June 16-24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The World University Games are held every other year. The 2009 men’s basketball competition will take place July 2-12 in Belgrade, Serbia, with 24 men’s teams expected to compete for gold.

“I know Sherron was certainly looking forward to going,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “But I definitely understand his situation. Being out of pocket for that period of time, I don’t know if he would feel at ease because of some things going on at home in Chicago. Sherron feels he could be of assistance if he is in the states.

“He could have been a huge asset to the team,” Self added. “I certainly understand why he is not going and so does USA Basketball.”

Kansas sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor will leave tomorrow for tryouts for the USA U19 National Team, also at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Taylor will compete with 16 other players for 12 spots on the team to compete in the FIBA U19 World Championships in New Zealand, July 2-12.