WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University rising junior point guard Helena Kurt (Spanga, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) was recently selected to represent her native Sweden in the 2015 World University Games from July 3-14 in Gwangju, South Korea. The “Universiade,” as it is globally known, is an international sporting event organized by FISU (International University Sports Federation).

Held under FISU's motto, “Excellence in Mind and Body,” university students from around the world participate in this event to advance the development of education and culture, build friendship through sport, and honor sportsmanship.

“I am so happy for Helena,” said Monmouth Head Coach Jenny Palmateer. I know how much it means to her to represent her country and she's been excited about the possibility ever since she was invited to try out months ago. This is a great opportunity for her to not only represent her country, but also to grow as a basketball player on the world stage. We wish her the best and share in her excitement.”

The Universiade is held every other year on odd-number years. As a multi-sport event with international participation from university students, it is the largest sporting event after the Olympics. The event is divided into the Summer Universiade and the Winter Universiade with each being held in different cities. To be eligible to participate in the Universiade, athletes should be undergraduate or graduate students between the ages of 17 and 28 as of January 1 of the year the Universiade is being held or have graduated in the year immediately preceding the year of the event.

A 2014 MAAC All-Rookie Team selection, Kurt started 29 of 30 games played as a sophomore, averaging a team-high 30.8 minutes per game. She scored 10.2 points per game, with 14 contests in double figures. Kurt finished third in the MAAC at 4.6 assists per game, eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7), ninth in steals per game (1.2) and 12th in both free-throw percentage (.738) and three-point field goals made per game (1.5). She scored more than 20 points in three of the final six games of the year, all Monmouth wins. Kurt dished out a career-high nine assists three times, while posting career highs of 23 points and nine assists to go along with six rebounds in a win over Manhattan on Feb. 26.