Kocak Selected for the 2026 USA DIII Mens Basketball Brazil Tour

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Ty Kocak of the Juniata men's basketball team was named to the USA D-3 Basketball Blue Team and will take part in their 2026 Brazil Tour.

The USA D-3 Basketball Teams (BLUE TEAM & RED TEAM) consist of NCAA Division III men's players from across the country.  These teams are comprised of players recognized nationally, regionally, and by their conferences. 

The Blue Team is made up of eight players representing seven different colleges and universities and coming from 5 different home states. 

The Red Team is made up of nine players representing six different colleges and universities and coming from 6 different home states. 

"This is an outstanding group of young men," says Ron Smith of USA Tours and Events.  "Many of the players on this year's USA D-3 Basketball Team - Brazil Tour had outstanding individual seasons and led their teams into postseason play."  "This tour is designed to expose players to a great international Basketball experience while providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural, and social growth."

The USA D-3 Basketball Teams – Brazil Tour will run from July 27 through August 5.  The teams will begin with orientation in Orlando, Florida, on July 27 before departing for Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The teams will play (Doubleheaders) in the cities & clubs they play in.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, the USA D-3 Basketball Teams will play in the city of Sorocaba versus the Sorocaba Basquete Clube and Basquete Tatui.  Both are professional teams from the state of Sao Paulo. On Thursday, the teams will fly to Rio de Janeiro.  The USA D-3 teams will play two additional games each in Rio de Janeiro on either Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. 

In Brazil, the team will experience educational, cultural, and social aspects of Brazilian life through city, school, and sports club visits.  In Sau Paulo the teams will be staying in the city of Sao Paulo, the second largest city in the Western Hemisphere.  In Rio de Janeiro the team will be staying on the world-famous Copacabana Beach (location for the 2016 Rio Olympic Beach Volleyball) and touring the Christ the Redeemer Statue and Sugar Loaf Mountain, two of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.  The team will visit the popular international market in Ipanema and Ipanema Beach.