The 2017 Pac-12 China Game between UCLA and Georgia Tech will tip off the 2017-18 basketball season with specific U.S. and China broadcast information to be finalized at a later date.  The game is part of Pac-12 Global, an unprecedented effort to promote goodwill for the Conference and its member institutions through sport, and to provide student-athletes with a transformative cultural exchange experience.

“We are thrilled to announce UCLA and Georgia Tech for next year’s game,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “Once again, this game will feature two of the best universities in the world on an international stage. We look forward to showcasing the academic and athletic excellence of these two schools, and we anticipate a great reception from Chinese and global audiences.”

 

 

In addition to the game, the 2017 Pac-12 China Game will feature educational and cultural experiences for student-athletes and university delegations to ensure they make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both UCLA and Georgia Tech see this experience as much more than just a basketball game.

 

“With our men’s basketball team having previously visited China in 2012 for a goodwill tour and fresh off a trip to Australia this past summer, I know firsthand how valuable these once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences can be for our student-athletes,” said UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero.  “When you couple the experiential aspect of this trip with the chance to bring the UCLA brand to a country that has greatly embraced us, it almost goes without saying that we couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity.” 

 

“We’re thrilled and excited to be invited to participate in this event to tip off our 2017-18 season,” said Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner. “This is an incredible opportunity for our players and coaches to experience something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives from a cultural and educational standpoint. We’re also proud to represent the Institute and its excellent reputation in academics and athletics on this stage.”

“This game has become an incredible opportunity for student-athletes to participate in true cultural exchange through college sports,” said Scott. “Their experiences both on and off the court will not only be valuable to their future success, but will also help Chinese fans and future student-athletes around the world see that high-level academics and high-level athletics can and should go hand in hand.”