July 23, 2005

NORFOLK, VA-- CAA Player of the Year and Tournament MVP Alex Loughton (Perth, Australia) is a member of the Australian national team, while 7-3 center Sam Harris (Newnham, Tasmania) is currently playing for the Australian U21 team.

The 6-9 Loughton, a rising senior is currently on tour with the Australian national squad for a series of games against Japan's national team.

Loughton led ODU with a 14.1 scoring average and 8.2 rebounding average. He ranked second in the CAA in rebounding and field goal percentage. Loughton earned first team All-CAA honors, and was the league's Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was named to ESPN The Magazine/COSIDA District All-Academic squad and NACDA (Athletic Directors Association) National All-Scholar team for the second year in a row. He was also honorable mention All-American by the ASSOCIATED PRESS and BASKETBALL TIMES.

Harris is currently with the Australian U21 National team which will play a series of games in Toronto against Canada, China and Greece in preparation for the World Championships in Argentina, Aug. 5-14.

Harris averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game for ODU. The rising sophomore scored a career high 14 points against Shawnee State, and added ten against UNC Wilmington. He blocked a career high seven shots against VMI.