KAMLOOPS - Josh Wolfram’s basketball achievements continue to grow. The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack forward has blossomed into one of the Canada West’s top players in the last few years including being named a first team all-star in 2014-15.

Now he has another honour.

The native of Kamloops (South Kamloops Secondary) has now been named to Canada’s team for the 2015 World University Games in Gwangju, South Korea.  

The 6’8” Wolfram becomes the first athlete ever from TRU to be chosen to participate at the World University games.

“I was ecstatic to be considered for this team,” stated Wolfram. “I think about watching Canada play any sports internationally while growing up and I had a great sense of pride as a spectator. It will be even more so now that I get the chance to represent the country.”

Wolfram was fourth in the Canada West and sixth in the nation in rebounds per game (9.9) last season and third in the Canada west/11th in the CIS in three point percentage (45.8.)

“This is great for Josh,” says WolfPack coach Scott Clark. “He has worked hard in all facets of his game trying to improve. The bulk of the credit goes to him. That being said, the basketball program here and the institution have played a role in his development.  We have provided guidance but he has done the work both on the court and in the class room as he pursues his degree”.

Clark feels that Wolfram won’t have a problem adjusting to the tempo and pace of International Basketball. 

“He has played against good players before and the rules are the same. He should flourish being in the environment where all the players are high caliber.”

Wolfram has been working preparing for the next WolfPack season but after speaking with Craddock, has intensified the running portion of his off-season program.  

“Usually in the summer you don’t have to be in preseason shape,” he says. “But to play for Canada you have to be just in as good a shape as you would be in the regular season.”

Wolfram is one of five players from Canada West on Team Canada. The others are forwards Mamadou Gueye (Edmonton, AB/University of Alberta), Tommy Nixon (Vancouver, B.C./UBC), Chris McLaughlin (Oakville, ON/UVIC), and point guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (Winnipeg, MB/University of Calgary.)

“This is a great achievement for Josh,” says TRU Athletics and Recreation Director Ken Olynyk. “He has not only blossomed as an athlete but as a student and representative of our athletic program. He will be a great representative for TRU and Kamloops while playing for his country in South Korea.”

Wolfram is the second member of his family to represent Canada in International Basketball. His younger sister Emma has played to the National Junior and Cadet teams. She attends Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

Team Canada will hold a training camp at the University of Kansas from June 19-29 before departing for South Korea. Canada plays its first game July 4 against Sweden. Other first round opponents for Canada are Mexico, Montenegro and Mongolia.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015