When ISU sophomore Wesley Johnson takes the court for the first time in Australia, he won’t just be working on his jump shot.

The Cyclones forward will also be working on improving his faith, a core concept of the international program Athletes in Action.

“What we want to accomplish there is: One, specifically for our players to grow in their own walk of faith,” said Athletes in Action director and coach Eric Nelson. “That is accomplished through daily team time and Bible study. Secondly, we want to build relationships with all the Australian national teams.

Nelson first got a look at the forward during the Big 12 Tournament last March in Oklahoma. While all applicants and their coaches are put through a series of interviews, Nelson said he was drawn to Johnson by not only by his actions on the court, but off the court as well.

“Talking with Wesley, he really is interested in growing the total person, not just the basketball part of his life,” he said.

Ron Smith, director of basketball operations, said when Nelson first approached him and head coach Greg McDermott about adding Johnson to the tour, everyone agreed he was a perfect fit.

“He talked to us, saying he would be a good candidate and Greg and I both agreed after talking to Wesley this would be a good experience and he would be a great representative for Iowa State,” Smith said.

Athletes in Action, which began in 1966, serves a number of purposes.

Nelson said that, besides games, Johnson will partake in a number of group activities, ranging from Bible study groups to basketball camps.

Nelson said the overall goal of the organization is not only to make the participants better athletes but better people, and to win a few games.

“The teams are very good,” he said. “We’ll have our hands full.”

As for Johnson, he sees the tournament as a possibility to grow up as a better person and player.

“It will help me out in the long run,” Johnson said.