Sampson Wraps Up Kuwait Trip

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Oklahoma men's basketball head coach Kelvin Sampson, along with six other current and former NCAA basketball coaches and one TV sports personality, flew to Kuwait this past weekend to coach in the Operation Hardwood basketball tournament that took place Aug. 27-31.

Sampson coached American troops from Camp Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. His team finished in third place out of eight squads and barely missed out on a championship game appearance because of a nail-biting 56-49 double-overtime loss to Camp Doha.

"I was a part of a great team this week," said Sampson following the event. "I'm the basketball coach of the University of Oklahoma -- but this week I was the basketball coach of Ali Al Salem.

"I was proud of those guys just as I was proud of the other seven teams, and I want to congratulate every player that participated in the tournament," he added.

When Sampson wasn't coaching his team, he was in the crowd signing autographs and taking pictures with troops. He was very thankful for being able to attend the event and meet with servicemembers.

"I want to thank all the behind-the-scenes people for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime," Sampson said. "When we leave here we will have received so much more than we could have possibly given.

"I can't wait to get back to my coaches, my family and my players and tell them about our troops in Kuwait and the job that (they) do and how proud I am of (them)," he added.

The Operation Hardwood "Hoops With the Troops" tournament started with teams of servicemembers from the eight Kuwait military camps. The double-elimination event was won by the Camp Arifjan team, coached by Michigan State's Tom Izzo.

Arifjan's victory wrapped up the three-day tournament that showcased the double-overtime victory by Camp Doha over Camp Ali Al Salem in the semifinals, a last-second basket for a Camp Navistar victory over Camp Buehring, as well as exciting dunk and 3-point contests.

Joining Sampson and Izzo as coaches were Alabama' Mark Gottfried, South Carolina's Dave Odom, Charlotte's Bobby Lutz, Mike Jarvis (formerly of St. John's), Bobby Cremins (formerly of Georgia Tech) and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas.

ESPN crews were in attendance and a documentary is slated to air later this fall.

Sampson is due back in Oklahoma on Friday, Sept. 2.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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