Leo Svete remembers the day he found out like it was today. There's no forgetting something like this.
"My dad," Svete said, "was like, 'Well Leo, you might be going to Italy'. And I'm like, 'what?' He goes, 'Yeah, you were selected for the US National Team.'"
Svete and nine other American high school players depart Monday for Milan, Italy, to play in a four-day international tournament.
"European basketball, it's a whole different level," Sevete said."
It's the opportunity of a lifetime for the guard from Penn high school.
"My dad, he's researched the rules," Svete said, "and he says, 'you're definitely wearing your ankle braces, and you're definitely wearing your mouth guard.' And when he said that, that's when I know it's going to be very physical. But I'm excited because it's going to make me better."
It's an opportunity to showcase his skills on the highest level. An opportunity they don't just give to anyone.
"They really like my size," Svete said. "I'm a big guard who can handle the ball, who can shoot it, who also has a nice body and a high ceiling. And I'm gonna work hard all the time when I'm on the floor."
Svete says it's just now starting to sink in on him what he's about to experience. And he couldn't be more anxious or motivated.
"Representing the US, and saying I played on the US National Team and represented my country on and off the floor as a student-athlete," Sevete said, "and just, I've never been to a foreign country, and I got my passport the other day and they made me raise my hand and say, Leo, does this information look right, and I'm just like, wow. And then it hit me. And I'm just really excited for the experience."
An experience he'll remember forever. No matter where basketball takes him later in life.
