With the way technology is today, Larry Austin Jr. probably has heard Demetrius Jackson gave a verbal commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday afternoon.

Even if Austin Jr, a 6-foot-1-inch, 160-pound combo guard from Springfield Lanphier (Ill.) High School who is one of the more sought-after Class of 2014 players in the state of Illinois, is out of the country.

Austin Jr. will spend today through Sunday competing in the FIBA Under-18 3-on-3 32-team World Championships in Madrid, Spain representing the United States.

He spent part of this week training with the U.S. team in Colorado Springs, Colo., before departing for Spain.

He'll arrive back in the states on Monday, his father, Larry Austin Sr. said.

This is Austin's second time playing with USA basketball after he helped the U16 team win the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship in Cancun, Mexico.

"He's very excited and humbled by the experience," Austin Sr. said. "He didn't make the U17 (team), but then to turn around make the U18 3-on-3 is just a great experience for him."

The 16-year-old, who averaged 12.5 points last year and was a key part in leading Lanphier to a 28-5 record and fourth-place finish in Class 3A last year, had a scholarship offer from Illinois under former head coach Bruce Weber.

Weber's new team, Kansas State, is one of 10 schools that have offered Austin. Illinois is not among those 10, but assistant coach Jamall Walker attended a Lanphier open gym recently and stays in touch with the family.

Illinois' interest in Austin Jr. might pick up again now that Jackson has committed to Notre Dame.

"The recruiting is very busy for him," Austin Sr. said. "He's enjoying the process. He has a lot of good interest from schools and is just enjoying what he's doing thus far."

When Austin Jr. will decide on a school won't happen for a while.

"He really doesn't have a timetable," Austin Sr. said. "He's just kind of going through the process and hopefully forming relationships. As this thing builds, he'll come with those in his inner circle and make a decision."

Austin Sr. said his son hasn't taken any visits yet this fall.

"We are going to plan some visits when he gets back from Madrid," his father said. "We have not done much of that yet."

The Austins already have one visit lined up, though.

"We do know Memphis is definitely going to get a visit," Austin Sr. said. "We have that set up for Dec. 15. As of right now, that's the only one. We want to get out to Oklahoma State, SMU and Florida State also. It's just a lot of things we want to do."

Lanphier starts practice on Monday, Nov. 5, with the 2012-13 season set to begin a few weeks later.

"He's ready to get it going," Austin Sr. said. "Larry's a gym rat. He's in the gym early in the morning and in the evening. He's just working out and trying to perfect his game and contribute to Lanphier as best he can his junior season."