Earlier this week, Ian Inman joked the longest flight he’s ever taken was for a trip to Mexico.

Considering Inman is from the Houston area, his longest journey wasn’t terribly long. And it’s one that will be dwarfed by the 19-hour trip on deck for a Colorado men’s basketball team departing on Wednesday for a four-game exhibition tour of Australia.

Plenty of shows, movies, tunes and podcasts surely will be downloaded to pass the time. However, for the newest of the Buffaloes’ many newcomers, Leonardo Van Elswyk, CU’s time zone-hopping expedition will be just another routine commute in his basketball journey.

Signed last month out of Italy, the oft-traveled Van Elswyk spent the bulk of his childhood moving with his family from one home to another. Certainly that’s not without precedence, particularly for military families. But in Van Elswyk’s case, it wasn’t a matter of moving from town to town, but from continent to continent.

The 7-foot-1 freshman center has citizenship in four countries — Italy, Canada, England and the Netherlands.

“I’m definitely used to change, used to new environments,” Van Elswyk said. “It’s not my first time being away from my family. When I was in (Italy) I was in a house with my teammates. It’s not totally new for me. But it’s new because it’s America.”

America is one of the few places Van Elswyk hadn’t called home before arriving in Boulder earlier this month.

Van Elswyk was born in England where his father, Peter — a former national team player in his native Canada — was playing professionally, but he spent his first four years in Italy, his mother’s native country.

The family then moved to Peter’s home country in Toronto, and 10 years later Leonardo moved to Spain to pursue a club opportunity near Barcelona. Van Elswyk spent three years in Spain, then the past two years in Milan, competing for Italy’s U16 team at the FIBA EuroBasket tournament in 2022.

“Definitely in the last couple years it became more of a goal,” Van Elswyk said about playing college basketball in America. “Always growing up I wanted to make that next step. I think college ball will help me make that next step in being a professional player.”

In Van Elswyk, the Buffs landed a potential low-risk, high-ceiling frontcourt prospect. If he’s ready to play immediately, the 245-pound Van Elswyk gives the Buffs another big body up front to utilize in the rugged interior battles of the Big 12. If not, Van Elswyk becomes a potential redshirt candidate while sixth-year senior Elijah Malone and freshman Tacko Ifaola hold down the five-spot.

“Good touch, good feel,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said regarding the freshman center. “Some guys are better in drills and not as good at five-on-five. Some guys are good at five-on-five and not as good in drills. He’s probably the latter right now. But when you start going up-and-down and guys get tired, you get more open shots. When you’re stripped of things and doing drills, it’s a little more difficult.

“I think understanding he has to stay in a stance (is key). Most 7-1 guys aren’t used to doing that. Physically, I think he’ll be all right. He’s got to learn how to use his size, that’s the biggest thing.”

The Buffs depart for Australia on Wednesday, and although Van Elswyk was a late addition to the mix, the four-game trip will offer an opportunity for the newcomer to impress. CU will be without forward Bangot Dak as he continues to spend his summer recovering from an injury. And Ifaola, who was listed at 6-foot-11 when he signed but is listed at 7-foot by CU, won’t make the trip due to his student visa status.

“I love the guys here. I love all my teammates. They’re supporting me and helping me get better every day,” Van Elswyk said. “I’ve just done a couple practices so far, but I’m really enjoying myself and having fun out there.”