Point guard Brianne O'Rourke will take her skills over to Europe as a member of the Big Ten Foreign Tour basketball team next week after a promising freshman year on the Lady Lions basketball squad.
O'Rourke, the lone Penn State representative, led the conference in assists last season with 5.1 a game while dropping in 7.8 points per game. O'Rourke was awarded for her work with a spot on the conference's All-Freshman team.
"She's a hard worker. She's in great shape. She won a state title in high school as a senior," Lions' coach Rene Portland said.
O'Rourke's value to the team also transcended more than just statistics. She showed natural talent and poise at point guard for the Lady Lions, keeping up the tradition of great point play at Penn State. Some Lady Lion point guard alumni include All-Americans Suzie McConnell and Helen Darling, both of whom played in the WNBA.
This summer, she joins up with 11 other players from around the Big Ten to form the Foreign Tour team after being selected by Big Ten Conference officials. University of Illinois' basketball coach Theresa Grentz will serve as head coach of the team.
The biggest challenge O'Rourke figures to face is having to play alongside former opponents as teammates. Having only a few practices ahead of time doesn't make the obstacle any easier to overcome.
"It's going to be a challenge with new team members. We have to come together," O'Rourke said.
In Europe, O'Rourke will have the opportunity to experience a more physical style of play. Europe is known for its fast paced games and great shooters. Also, the lane lines are very different. While the NCAA and professional leagues use a rectangle as the lane, European leagues and teams use a trapezoid.
The Foreign Tour team not only gives O'Rourke exposure to a new style of play, but also a chance to meet people and different cultures.
"It's a great experience. You get to go sightseeing, shopping, meet new people, and make new friends. I would do it again," said Portland, who also served as the head coach of the Foreign Tour team last year.
Portland also added it improves a player's game intelligence and attention to detail.
As this will be O'Rourke's first time in Europe, these aspects of the trip will be very significant. But the tour also provides her four games with the chance to develop her on-court skills.
"Leadership. And improve my 3-point range and my work inside the paint," O'Rourke said about what she wanted to improve upon.
After the tour is completed, O'Rourke plans to incorporate new knowledge of the game and use her familiarity with some of the players to her advantage next season.
"I plan to learn from teammates and another coach. The experience will help out. It will carry over." O'Rourke said.
The Foreign Tour Team has had great success since it began in 1992. It has posted four straight undefeated trips, winning 19 straight overall. The team has gone 51-18 overall since it started competing overseas.
