Bolin playing international ball for Norway
Aksel Bolin reaches to make a basket while Purdue’s defense tries to tip the ball out of his hand in a 2011 game. As of July 8, Bolin had 12 points in two games for Norway in the World University Games and will look to lead the Huskies during his senior season in 2013-14.
July 8, 2013
On top of an already busy workout regimen this summer, men’s basketball senior forward Aksel Bolin has taken it upon himself to represent his native Norway in the World University Games.
The games take place in Kazan, Russia, and started on Sunday.
Norway was put in Group D for the preliminary round, where it was paired with Lithuania, Finland, Brazil, China and Chile.
Norway’s group contains two teams who finished in the top 10 in the 2011 games, as Lithuania finished third and Finland finished seventh; however, that does not affect their goals.
“Our expectations are to advance from the group stage and play the U.S. team, preferably in a finals game,” Bolin said.
The top two teams in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals with a chance to move on, while the bottom four teams will fall into the classification round.
In Norway’s opening game on Sunday, it fell 94-71 to Lithuania. Bolin started and scored six points, shooting two of three from the field and connecting on two free throws.
Norway rebounded in a big way on Monday as it routed China 106-74. Bolin scored another six points while going two of three from the field in his second straight start.
“The competition is tough,” Bolin said. “Going into these games we have not gotten to play any games. But we found our pace. In the Lithuania game we played them tight for a while until they put us away, and then [we] made the adjustments for the second game and beat China.”
Playing for Norway in the World University Games is something Bolin has worked for.
“Representing my country is always a great honor and I’ve always wanted to do that,” Bolin said. “I’ve been playing for my country through the national teams U-16, U-18, U-20 and we have taken down big teams throughout the years. This squad is the best we have had in a long time so it’s fun to see how we develop and play together.”
Bolin will use this experience to help him get ready for what he hopes will be a memorable senior season at NIU.
“[This has been] my best summer yet with the most workouts and lifts,” Bolin said. “So I’m excited for my senior year. Together with the experience and high level of basketball I get this summer, it should be the perfect recipe for a good year with NIU.”
Norway has three games remaining and will conclude the preliminary round Friday against Brazil.