Euro Jam Paris 2012

ESPN America’s Aaron Murphy and Patrick Sturgeon spent the weekend in Paris covering the Kansas Jayhawks as they participated in Euro Jam Paris.

While the Jayhawks came up short in both games to the AMW France Pro team, the experience of the tour and games, both culturally and physically, was invaluable to the players, coaches and over 100 fans who travelled with them.

After losing to Kentucky in the NCAA Championship Game in April, Kansas has eight new players on the team this year. So, these four games and extra practice in Europe could pay dividends in January and February.

In the near future, we’ll post interviews Aaron conducted with three returning players: Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford and Jeff Withey, along with newcomers Perry Ellis, Zach Peters and Landen Lucas.

We also met several other players and backroom staff who will be speaking about the tour of Switzerland and France and the bonding they went on amongst the squad.

But first, Aaron caught up with Head Coach Bill Self [video above right], who spoke about the European tour, college basketball and life ahead for the Jayhawks, as they look to return to the Final Four for the second year in a row.

ESPN America & ESPN Player are proud to be official partners of EURO JAM 2012 in Paris featuring top US college talent against European professionals.

Watch some of the best US college basketball teams compete LIVE in central Paris this summer.

Representing the USA will be the No.2 team in the country last season and NCAA Championship finalists Kansas Jayhawks from the Big 12, along with Atlantic Coast powerhouse Virginia Cavaliers, Pac-12 conference champion Colorado Buffaloes and reigning Big 10 women’s champion the Penn State Lady Lions.

All four teams will compete against professional French teams at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin from 19:00 between the 11th & 16th of August.

For more information: http://www.eurojamparis.com

Video: Promo for Euro Jam 2012.

KANSAS JAYHAWKS INTERVIEWS
Ahead of their visit to Europe, Kansas Coach Bill Self and three players spoke to ESPN America about their trip to the Continent, playing against professional teams and what they hoped to get out of this exciting experience.

Video: KU Coach BILL SELF talks about the trip to Europe to play in Euro Jam 2012.

WATCH COLLEGE BASKETBALL ON ESPN AMERICA
The new season of college hoops starts up in November and ESPN America will once again broadcast our unbeatable coverage of live games from the opening tip-offs right through the season to March Madness and the Final Four in 2013.

The games will be, as ever, backed up by our regular chat & highlight shows and College GameDay Live during the season.

You can also catch live NCAA games and on-demand video on the ESPN Player.