U.S. college teams in Barcelona during van attack say players, staff are OK

Men’s basketball teams from several U.S. universities, including Oregon State, Clemson and Arizona, were in Barcelona, Spain, when a van drove into pedestrians Thursday in a historic district popular with tourists but school officials said the players and staff were safe.

Oregon State assistant coach Gregg Gottlieb posted to Facebook: “We are all luckily ok. Our hotel/restaurant is located right on Las Ramblas. This tragedy happened right in front of us as our team just sat down for pregame meal. Thoughts and prayers for all those that are were hurt.”

College basketball teams are allowed to travel internationally during the summer once every four years. They are allowed to practice for 10 days and usually play a few exhibition games while abroad.

The trips offer teams a chance to get a jump-start on the season and also give the players a unique cultural experience.

Oregon State was staying in the same hotel as Clemson, which had been scheduled to play Thursday night against a Spanish All-Star team.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell confirmed in a text to The Associated Press that everyone was well.

The Beavers’ game Thursday night was also canceled. It was supposed to be the first of a five-game tour.

A spokesman for Arizona said the Wildcats have canceled their third and final exhibition of their tour and “are currently working on travel plans to return home.”