OK, so it's not really as glitzy in Las Vegas this week for BYU guard Jimmer Fredette as that headline might suggest, but this trip to Sin City does allow Fredette a little more time to enjoy the sights than when he travels here with the Cougars at least twice each season.

I just left the USA Basketball practices at the Cox Arena for both the USA Basketball Men's National team and the USA Basketball Men's Select team. Fredette is one of 20 collegiate players on the Select Team, and I was allowed about 15 minutes to chat with him prior to practice. I'll have a story in Thursday's paper about how Fredette thinks this week's experience of playing against 20 top NBA players and 19 of the nation's other top college players will benefit him this coming season. I'll also have an assessment of Fredette from Select Team coaches Lorenzo Romar (Washington) and Jay Wright (Villanova)

Fredette is rooming with Kansas forward Marcus Morris at the Wynn hotel, and once practice ends each day he's going out with his Select Team teammates for dinner, walking up and down the Strip and checking out the attractions at a few of the fancier hotels. His day with the Select Team basically ends around 4 p.m., giving him the night for fun and relaxation.