sport

Barcelona Van Attack: US College Teams Safe

Clemson, Oregon State, and Arizona basketball teams confirm all members unharmed after Las Ramblas van incident. Games canceled following Thursday attack.

By Barcelona Sport Desk · Published 20 July 2026

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Two American college basketball programs reported that all members of their traveling parties escaped injury after a van struck pedestrians in Barcelona on Thursday.

The incident took place in the city's Las Ramblas district. Barcelona police confirmed at least 13 people died and 32 others suffered injuries, some serious. Clemson and Oregon State were among at least five U.S. teams in Spain for exhibition tours that week, and both squads were staying at a hotel near the site.

Statements from the programs

Clemson and Oregon State each issued statements that their entire groups remained safe and unharmed. Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle noted the attack occurred directly in front of the team's hotel while players were eating. Arizona also released a statement that its party was safe and accounted for. Tulane athletic director Troy Dannen tweeted that his school's travelers were likewise unhurt. Grand Canyon's team avoided the area entirely and reported no issues.

Clemson immediately canceled its scheduled exhibition against the Barcelona All-Stars. The team planned to depart for home on Friday as originally arranged. Oregon State, whose tour had been set to continue through Aug. 25, began reviewing whether its remaining games could proceed.

Next steps for the affected teams

Arizona chose to cancel its third and final exhibition game that had been listed for Friday. The other programs continued assessing their schedules in light of the events. All five teams had arrived for foreign exhibition tours earlier in the week.

The reports originated from statements released by the universities and comments attributed to their officials, as detailed in coverage from The Dagger on Aug. 17, 2017.

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