University of Arizona Wildcats Mens’ Basketball team will head home after canceling the remainder of their Spain trip following a terrorist attack in Barcelona.
The team announced via social media that its traveling party is safe after a van mounted the curb and plowed down pedestrians in Las Ramblas, dubbed the Times Square of New York. The incident occurred in one of the city’s most crowded spots, just five blocks from the team’s hotel. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and an investigation is ongoing as the death toll rose to 14 with hundreds injured.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play Mataro Parc Boet in Mataro, a coastal town 25 minutes from Barcelona, on Friday evening (10:10 a.m. Arizona time), but they have canceled this final exhibition game in light of this recent events.
“The entire Arizona Basketball travel party on the Spain trip has been accounted for and is safe following the situation in Barcelona today,” a University of Arizona statement said. “Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events. We have decided to cancel our third and final exhibition of the tour and are currently working on travel plans to return home.”
The Wildcats were scheduled to fly home on Saturday. Stay up to date on all things Wildcats on their official website.