VERMILLION, S.D.—For many athletes, there is no greater honor they can receive than to represent their country at an international competition. For South Dakota women's basketball junior Abigail Fogg, she was able fulfill this honor by representing her homeland, Canada, in basketball at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games this summer.
 
Fogg qualified for the team after participating in an open tryout for the Canadian development team and was selected as one of 12 players to make the team for the FISU games.
 
"I was shocked when I was informed that I had made the team," Fogg said. "I didn't know what to expect but I went out and gave it my all at the tryout. When I did find out, I was thrilled."
 
The 2015 FISU games were held in Gwangiu, South Korea, this past July and the Canadian developmental team took silver after falling to the United States in the championship.
 
"It was incredible just to be in that environment," Fogg said. "There were 13,000 other athletes from all over the world at the games."
 
For Fogg, the best part of the entire experience was the honor of representing Canada.
 
"It was humbling to walk out with my country and represent Canada in basketball," she said. "I can't express in words how proud I was."
 
Fogg, who transferred to South Dakota last year from American University, had to sit out all of last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
 
"It's strange only being able to practice and sitting out from games," Fogg said. "Playing for Canada this summer was really good for me because I was able to experience what it was like to play in a competitive game again, and get my feet wet before our college season began."
 
While playing competitively again was a blessing for Fogg, what she learned from summer practices helped her become a better player.
 
"Getting to practice and compete against very good basketball players helped me physically," she said. "But the mental side of the game is where I learned the most. I learned that basketball is a team game and everyone has to learn their role on the team. Once you've learned your role, you have to play the role to the best of your abilities."
 
And while Fogg will never forget what it felt like to play for her country, she is also excited to finally be able to play basketball as a Coyote.
 
"I'm excited for the season to start and cannot wait to put on my South Dakota jersey in a game for the first time," Fogg said.
 
She will have that opportunity Nov. 13 when South Dakota opens the 2015-16 campaign against Utah in Salt Lake City.