Scottie Barnes, Isaiah Stewart, Devin Vassell, Amen and Ausar Thompson, Norman Powell, and Josh Minott are either in talks or have committed to represent Jamaica's national basketball team.
Talks are underway for Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes, Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart, and San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell to join Jamaica’s rising national basketball team, according to Daniel Blake of the Jamaica Observer.
Dwight Powell
Dwight Powell
Dwight Powell
MIN: 9.87
PTS: 2.04 (65.42%)
REB: 2.14
As: 0.98
ST: 0.32
BL: 0.38
TO: 0.32
GM: 56
Twin brothers Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets) and Ausar Thompson (Pistons) have also begun the process of acquiring their Jamaican passports, per the same report.
The Thompsons have earlier publicly expressed their desire to represent Jamaica and shared their pride in doing so.
"When we were young, we watched Usain Bolt representing Jamaica at the Olympic Games, and how proud we were of him."
According to Blake, Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell and Minnesota Timberwolves' Josh Minott have already committed to the team and are set to play in the FIBA Americas Pre-Qualifiers this August.
Jamaica is following in the footsteps of the Bahamas, which made a strong push in last year's Olympic Qualifiers with stars like Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield, and top prospect VJ Edgecombe.
Despite their efforts, the Bahamas fell short in the final, losing to host nation Spain and missing out on the Paris Olympics.
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