Last season, Norman Powell proved he was worthy of an All-Star selection after a breakout campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers. Many even called it a “snub” when he wasn’t chosen despite averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game. This year, that looks destined to change.
Powell is playing the best basketball of his career with the Miami Heat, scoring over 25 points per game and emerging as a strong candidate to make his first All-Star appearance—fittingly at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the home of his former team.
His stellar season follows a summer in which he proudly reconnected with his Jamaican heritage, representing the national team in the FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Ciudad Obregón, Mexico. Powell led Jamaica to back-to-back wins over Barbados and Costa Rica, securing the country’s first-ever spot in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers.
After Adam Silver announced the new All-Star format—Team World vs. Team USA—the big question now is: Which team would Powell suit up for in the 2026 All-Star Game?
Commitment to Jamaica
Although “Stormin’ Norman” was born and raised in San Diego, California, his father is from Kingston, Jamaica. That connection played a major role in his decision to commit to Team Jamaica in the summer of 2025.
Norman Powell will make his debut for the Jamaican National Team during next month’s FIBA window in Mexico, a league source tells me.
Jamaica will face Mexico, Barbados, and Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifiers. Suns big man Nick Richards will also join the squad. 🇯🇲
— Eduardo Villalpando (@eduardo_vhmx) July 28, 2025
He has demonstrated his dedication beyond the court as well. Powell donated $100,000 from his foundation toward hurricane relief after “Melissa,” the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in more than 170 years. He also launched a special collection through his brand Understand The Grind, which his Jamaican teammates proudly wore throughout the summer.
During the most recent FIBA Window, Team Jamaica shocked Puerto Rico with back-to-back wins in San Juan—earning the nation’s first-ever victories in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, including a stunning buzzer-beater in the opening game. Powell showed his continued connection to the team by FaceTiming players and coaches on the bus after their historic win last Friday night.
🙌 JAMAICA SWEEP WINDOW 1 🙌#FIBAWC x #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/DUpTAzwafp
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) December 2, 2025
Connection to His Roots
“This is a passion project for me. I’m half-Jamaican, my dad was born in Kingston, but I don’t know too much about my Jamaican heritage and roots,” Powell told Eduardo Villalpando prior to his Jamaica debut back in August.
“This experience has been great. My teammates teaching me Patwa and I wanted to do something to show how committed I am to bringing us together as a family.”
Powell’s pride in Jamaica and his roots is clear—and with a potential All-Star selection on the horizon, 2026 could be a defining year for him: honoring his father’s heritage, returning to his former home arena, and taking the biggest stage in basketball.