Dearman and Warren set to compete in London

Saluki basketball players Jermaine Dearman and Josh Warren will be representing SIU on a college all-star team that will take on professional European teams in London early next month.

The pair leaves on Aug. 9 and will head to London for practice. The team is comprised of college players from across the nation and is coached by former head basketball coach for Indiana State University Tates Locke. Locke is now a scout for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.

The team will play seven games before returning to the United States on Aug. 19.

The first game will be in Brighton, game No. 2 will be in London and the third game will be played in Birmingham. Games four through seven will be played in London. Aug. 12 and 15 will be days off with excursions planned for around the area.

The opponents of the college team will be professional Division I teams from England’s Budweiser League.

The tournaments overseas are a good chance for college players to gain experience against professional teams and exposure for players who plan on playing professional basketball after college.

The Salukis sent star guard Kent Williams to Poland earlier this summer. The coaching staff likes to send players overseas, and believes the experience brings good things back to the court for SIU during the season.

SIU basketball assistant coach Rodney Watson said it will be a good opportunity for both players, and it will give Warren a chance to get some minutes and prepare for the upcoming season.

“This will be a good chance for Jermaine to go to Europe and play against professional players,” Watson said. “It will give him good exposure over there and give him a chance to see what it is like to play there.

It will be the first time Warren has played overseas in any kind of tournament or league. SIU basketball coach Bruce Weber wanted Warren to get more experience because he was redshirted last season.

“This will be a good chance for Josh to knock some rust off,” Weber said.

“It will be a good experience for me,” Warren said. “It will help boost my confidence back up, and help me improve for this season.”

Dearman will also play in his first league or tournament overseas.

Weber thought Dearman needed the exposure and experience of playing in Europe.

“I am getting prepared to play in Europe,” Dearman said. “It will be exposure for me, so I want to play well and do my best. This will also help me prepare for this season. Hopefully, it will be a fun time and something to remember.”

Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at [email protected]