BARCELONA ATTACK: GCU, U of A basketball players are OK, officials say

Officials with Grand Canyon University and University of Arizona say all of their players are OK, following Thursday's van attack in Barcelona, Spain.

The men's basketball team for both universities are in Barcelona, along with several other U.S. college basketball teams. GCU's team was reportedly at a hotel that is one mile away from Las Ramblas.

GCU's Athletic Director, Charles Hammond, is in Barcelona with the team, and said before they knew what happened, many were getting a flood of text messages from worried loved ones.

"Just with no other context other than, 'are you OK?'," said Hammond. "That is always a little unnerving."

Teams and players later took to Twitter to let everyone know they are safe.

U of A's tweet stated that the entire travel party is safe and accounted for, following the situation in Barcelona, and stated that their thoughts are with the people affected.

Meanwhile, Casey Benson, who plays with GCU's basketball team, wrong on his Twitter page that the team is all safe.

Hammond said even prior to the trip, the team had no apprehensions about traveling to Europe, even with heightened tensions and being a frequent target for terrorists.

"I think everyone was just excited to experience a new culture," said Hammond.

Hammond said even after Thursday's events, they are comfortable with the security and police presence

"We feel like we're in a very safe area," said Hammond.