Following news that Kai Jones will be a part of The Bahamas’ hopes in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup, comes news that the rest of the Bahamian NBA fraternity will not.
The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) released a 19-man preliminary roster for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup over the weekend, one that does not include NBA players DeAndre Ayton, Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield, Eric ‘EJ’ Gordon and Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe.
FIBA AmeriCup doesn’t carry as much weight as in previous years, as there is no direct qualification for a global competition. The Bahamas will be among 16 teams, in four groups, in the regional tournament, set for August 22-31 in Managua, Nicaragua. The top three teams in each four-team group will move on to the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, from which they will have a direct shot to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup — the biggest and most prestigious tournament worldwide that is sanctioned by FIBA (International Basketball Federation). However, as previously mentioned, there is no direct qualification from the FIBA AmeriCup to the world cup.
“Well, we expected that we wouldn’t have had the services of the other NBA guys, particularly because they are so close to training camp and getting ready for their season,” said BBF 1st Vice President Moses Johnson, who has previously served as head coach of the national squad. “Conditioning is a major part of the selection process, and we are very pleased with the crew that is chosen and confident that they could get us to the next level. When you look at it, this is the crew that has gotten us to this point. We have arrived at FIBA AmeriCup for the first time in 30 years. That in itself is a great feat, and we are confident in the guys who have gotten us here.”
The Bahamas will compete out of Group A of the with the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup with the United States of America (USA), Brazil, and Uruguay.
Named to the 19-man preliminary roster for The Bahamas are: Jones, Lathaniel Bastian, Domnick Bridgewater, Jaraun ‘Kino’ Burrows, Garvin Clarke Jr., Joshua Dames, Radshad Davis, Eron Gordon, Sammy Hunter, Kenny Isnord, Jackson Jacob, Danrad Knowles, Aaron Levarity, Franco Miller Jr., Tavario Miller Sr., Isaiah Mobley, Travis Munnings, Godfrey Rolle III and Kentwan Smith.
“From this, we will pick the best 12 who we feel who are available and able to represent the country,” said Johnson. “Also, we are going to liaison with the coaching staff and select a very competitive roster based on their style of play and the competition that lies ahead. At the end of the day, we feel like we are going to be able to do some wonderful things with the talent that we have assembled. This preliminary squad is well put together. They have been working together for some time and have developed some chemistry. We were able to obtain the services of Isaiah Mobley, and pairing him with Kai Jones creates a formidable duo. When you add them to the European mix (players playing professionally in Europe), you would see that we have a good crop of talented players.”
Johnson said they are expected to officially name a 12-man roster for Team Bahamas this week. The Bahamas will play the USA at the Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in Managua, Nicaragua, on Saturday August 23. The team will have a quick turnaround and face Brazil on Sunday August 24. They will conclude group play against Uruguay on Tuesday August 26. The top three teams in the group will advance to the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers.
Jones said in a previous interview that he is ready to jam in the premier regional championships.
“I just want to come in and set up for AmeriCup and attack each day with a purpose and a plan to be the best,” said Jones. “Each game in front of us is going to be a test, but I believe that we’re ready for it, and we’ve been built for this moment. We’ve had something going over the past few years, and this will be a big chance for us to execute and get something done for the country.”
The Bahamas reached as high as it has ever been in men’s basketball last summer, reaching the doorstep of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. Without Jones, The Bahamas fell one game short, losing to Spain, 86-78, in the final of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Just the winner of that tournament advanced to the men’s basketball competition at the Olympics.
As mentioned, Jones missed that event, but has been a vital part of the progression of Team Bahamas up the FIBA World Rankings in recent years. The 6’11” post player, who last played professionally with the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), could provide The Bahamas with the lift it needs to advance to the next level.
The Bahamas’ Senior Men’s National Basketball Team is looking to make a historic run at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Tournament. Just one other time, The Bahamas participated in the event, and the team finished eighth with a 2-6 win/loss record. That was in 1995 in Tucumán and Neuquén, Argentina, when the event was known as the Tournament of the Americas. Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee was the head coach for Team Bahamas at that time.
Team Bahamas is on a mission to qualify for the basketball competition at the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, and the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup is a step in that direction.