This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utes' point guard against the Jazz's point guard? It could happen this summer.
Lorenzo Bonam will be one of 12 players on a Pac-12 All-Star team that will travel to Melbourne for six days in July for three exhibition games, including two against the Australian men's national team.
The matchup could potentially pit Bonam against Jazzmen Joe Ingles and Dante Exum, who are competing for roster spots leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Utah's senior guard may also face another Ute, former No. 1 pick and Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut.
The tour, which runs between July 9 and 15, will also include an exhibition game against a semi-pro Australian team.
In a new release, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott described the trip, which will also include visiting cultural landmarks and other off-court activities, as an extension of the Pac-12's Global initiative to expand the conference's reach.
The Australian men's national team will pare down its roster ahead of the Olympics, Aug. 6-21. Exum, Ingles and Bogut are currently on the 17-man roster.
Bonam will be the only Ute making the trip. The Pac-12 team will be led by former Cal and Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, and includes conference standouts Jordan McLaughlin (USC), Josh Hawkinson (Washington State) and Tra Holder (Arizona State).
One of a handful of returners for the Utes this upcoming season, Bonam averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He made his name with big moments, including a game-winning shot over Colorado and an overtime-forcing layup in the Pac-12 Tournament against Cal.
Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak led the last trip of Pac-12 standouts abroad in 2014 on a trip to China.
Potter to play for Canada in Europe
Utah junior Emily Potter will join three former Utes on the Canadian women's basketball national team for a five-day tournament in France and Spain starting June 4.
The first-team all Pac-12 center will play alongside Utah alums Kim Gaucher (formerly Kim Smith), Michelle Plouffe and Shona Thorburn for the first time with the senior team.
"We're pleased with Bridget [Carleton], Laura [Dally] and Emily's progress and to provide them with the opportunity to compete at a high level of international basketball will only continue their development," Canada women's basketball official Denise Dignard said in a team news release. "It's key for us to foster our pipeline of athletes and continue to build the next generation of talent in Canada."
Potter broke out this season with 15.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game to lead the program in both categories. The 6-foot-6 Winnipeg native set a new program record, with 83 blocks.
Twitter: @kylegoon