Illini graduate student Jacob Grandison has been named to the Finnish National Team and is headed overseas to train with the team this summer.

Grandison will depart from his hometown of Oakland, California, on Thursday and make the trip to Finland, where he has dual citizenship. Grandison will train with the Finnish National Team, led by coach Henrik Dettmann. His experience with Finland will culminate in a trip to Japan to play in a pre-preparation tournament, before the Olympics, in Okinawa from July 7-11. Grandison plans to return to the U of I campus in mid-July, to continue his preparation for the upcoming season.

"It is an honor to have this opportunity to represent Finland," Grandison said. "I also am proud to represent Illinois and the Illini Nation. I am going to make the most of this opportunity. Since completing my undergraduate degree in May, and been accepted to the GIES Business School, I have been training at home every day. My first daily workout starts at 4:45 am. My commitment to be the best I can be will continue with training in Helsinki and culminating with competition in Japan. I'm excited to get a taste of international basketball while still in college, and then apply those lessons next season to help our team win a championship."

Grandison averaged 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds last season for the Illini, shooting 52.6% from the field, 41.5% from 3-point range, and 95.7% from the foul line. He started 16 of the last 17 games, seeing his production increase to 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds as a starter. He also ranked fourth on the team in plus/minus at +243. Grandison scored in double figures four times, led by a season-high 14 points in the home win over Nebraska (Feb. 25). He also recorded a double-double in the win over No. 7 Iowa (Jan. 29), totaling 11 points and season-high 10 boards.