Camera Staff Report

COLORADO SPRINGS -- University of Colorado basketball player Tera Bjorklund has been invited to participate in U.S. Junior National Team Trials from June 15-18, USA Basketball announced Thursday.

Bjorklund is one of 30 players 19-and-under to receive an invitation to the Trials. Bjorklund's invite is the third USA Basketball call of the summer for the CU program, as the Buff backcourt of Mandy Nightingale and Jenny Roulier will begin its summer training at the U.S. National Team Trials starting today.

"What a great opportunity for Tera to get a USA Basketball trial as a rising sophomore," said CU head coach Ceal Barry. "It is a testament to the great season that she had in 2000-2001 for us."

Bjorklund was Colorado's backup center during the 2000-01 season and was among CU 's top scorers on a 22-9 team that made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1997. She led the Buffaloes in 20-plus scoring efforts with five, including a perfect 10-for-10 performance at Texas in January. The St. Peter, Minn., native averaged 9.6 points per game for the Buffaloes and grabbed an average of 3.6 rebounds per outing. She ranked fifth in the Big 12 Conference in free throw shooting, and was also 14th in field goal percentage.

"I'm very excited about this great opportunity," Bjorklund said. "Being able to compete with players at this high level will be a good test of where I stand and how I stack up with some of the best players in the country. It's also nice to have a chance to play at this level during the summer. It's always good to be able to compete during the offseason, and it's a bonus to have it be with USA Basketball."

Bjorklund is slated to travel to Europe with the Big 12 All-Stars next August. If she's picked for the 12-person roster for the World Junior Championships from July 14-22, it's likely Colorado will send another player in her place.