Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) President Ajani Williams said the country's historic third-place finish at the Centrobasket tournament and its unprecedented qualification to the Tournament of the Americas for North, South and Central American teams have ushered in a new era for Jamaica.
Williams, who was speaking to the Jamaica Observer on the team's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, said this achievement has propelled Jamaica's basketball onto the global stage, and with the right resources they can make next year's World Championship.
WILLIAMS... I think were definitely on our way
"It may not happen immediately, but through time like our track and field we will, as this is the beginning of our phase and I think we are definitely on our way," he said.
"... The right people and are there; the right coaches; the right mentality, and the players are committed to advancing in this new frontier," he argued.
The JABA boss said it took sacrifice to achieve their objective. He was especially grateful to Tina Matalon and KFC for their ardent support of the programme.
"We knew it would take great sacrifice, but we do have some cash and great support from KFC... plus we got some really strong backing from the SDF (Sports Development Foundation), the sports minister and Grand Palladium (hotel)," he added.
Williams lauded the team and made special mention of Samardo Samuels (206-F/C-89, college: Louisville), Jerome Jordon, Weyimi Rose and coach Sam Vincent .
"Samardo put on an all-star performance, Jerome was developing into himself, while Weyimi was unbelievable...
"And Coach Sam Vincent threw out so many plays that nobody else had seen and came out with totally new plays on the day. So the coaching staff was really great in their application, preparation and sacrifice," he beamed.
Williams said he will use this accomplishment to spearhead the nation's new basketball initiative.
"This is huge. I was getting tired but they have given me a lot more energy now and I'm going to create a pretty phenomenal marketing team," he pledged.
"We have a new team brand, a new team name and we intend to hit the entire diaspora... but we needed this moment to activate it," he added.
Williams believes that with their newfound fame, they will attract other players with Jamaican heritage and even convince Roy Hibbert Jr to reconsider switching allegiance from the United States.
"I think we can and should advance to the World Championship... but we have to recruit the best players and get them to come within that same year," he said.
"If we're going to make a real run at the World Championships, then Roy Hibbert is ultimately important... If we don't have him we can do without him, although it would be harder, but we'll definitely need Ryan Reid, especially for those rebounds," he noted.
Meanwhile, veteran Kimani Friend, who played only for limited periods in the tournament because of a broken nose, said the feat was overwhelming and called it "a very big accomplishment for Jamaica's basketball".
"This should now propel us to get more sponsorship and more people to support the team," he said.
"We made history... and I think this is one of the achievements for our 50th Anniversary," he added.
He pointed out that the success was achieved in a very short time and the local basketball administration should be commended.
"This has been achieved in a short amount of time with the new players, Ajani, and Coach Vincent... so in about three, four years we've really made a big achievement and I hope after this we continue to move forward," said Friend.
He added that the team will be stronger and more experienced next year and will attract newcomers.
"The fact that we made the Tournament of Americas means more guys will be coming out of the NBA or Europe with Jamaican parentage and they will want to use this as an excuse to play for Jamaica, and because of this, we will be very strong," he said. Courtesy of: http://www.caribbeanbasketball.com
Guaiqueries add Scott to their roster - May 15, 2013
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Guaiqueries de Margarita (LPB) added to their roster 30-year old Jamaican ex-international point guard Akeem Scott (186-82kg-83, college: High Point). He just played at Pioneros in Mexican LNBP. In 42 games he recorded 12.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.2apg and 1.4spg this season. The last season Scott played at Mornar Bar (1A) in Montenegrin league. In 29 games he averaged 10.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg and 2.2spg. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league [read more]
Guaiqueries de Margarita (LPB) added to their roster 30-year old Jamaican ex-international point guard Akeem Scott (186-82kg-83, college: High Point). He just played at Pioneros in Mexican LNBP. In 42 games he recorded 12.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.2apg and 1.4spg this season. The last season Scott played at Mornar Bar (1A) in Montenegrin league. In 29 games he averaged 10.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg and 2.2spg. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. They also advanced to the league semifinals. A very spectacular season in his career as he was selected Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League Import Player of the Year. Scott also played 12 games in Balkan League where he averaged impressive 16.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.2apg and 2.4spg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals. Great season indeed as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Balkan League Honorable Mention. The previous (2011) summer Scott played at Geneva in U.S. semi-pro league Eurobasket S.League. In three ESL games he averaged remarkable 21.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.7apg. He also represented Jamaica at the Centrobasket in San Juan (Puerto Rico) last year. Scott's team won Bronze and his stats at that event were 6 games: 11.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.8apg, Steals-4 (2.2spg), FGP: 48.4%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 70.0%. Scott has played also professionally in Finland (Espoo Honka, UU-Korihait, PuHu and Lappeenranta NMKY), Latvia (Ventspils) and SEBL (Baseline). He is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Scott attended High Point University until 2006 and it is his seventh season as a professional player. On Scott:
Fleet-footed point guard who can also score... equally adept at creating his own shot or setting the table for others.
Akeem is a tremendous competitor with great speed and a good basketball mind.
Zonkeys de Tijuana (CIBACOPA) agreed terms with 33-year old Jamaican ex-international forward Mugabe Thomas (193-80, college: Cedarville). He played most recently at Barreteros (LNBP), but left the team in Oct.'11. In 15 games he had 11.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg last season.
The list of the past achievements is quite long as Thomas' team won Mexican LNBP Northern Division Regular Season in 2008. He was also voted NAIA D2 All-America 2nd Team back in 2006 at his college time [read more]
Zonkeys de Tijuana (CIBACOPA) agreed terms with 33-year old Jamaican ex-international forward Mugabe Thomas (193-80, college: Cedarville). He played most recently at Barreteros (LNBP), but left the team in Oct.'11. In 15 games he had 11.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg last season. The list of the past achievements is quite long as Thomas' team won Mexican LNBP Northern Division Regular Season in 2008. He was also voted NAIA D2 All-America 2nd Team back in 2006 at his college time. Thomas represented Jamaica at the Centrobasket seven years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 5 games: 13.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 50.0%. Thomas has played previously for five other Mexico teams: Marineros, Faraones, Lobos UAD Mazatlan, Lobos Grises and Guerreros. He attended Cedarville University until 2006 and it will be his seventh season as a professional player.
Bryan Bailey (ex Bayreuth) agreed terms with Lottomatica Roma - May 2, 2013
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Acea Virtus Roma (SerieA) inked 33-year old American (has also Jamaican passport) shooting guard Bryan Bailey (185-77kg-80, college: Bucknell). He started the season at BBC Bayreuth in German BBL league. In 33 games he recorded 12.2ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.7apg this season. A very good year in his career as he was voted to German Bundesliga All-Star Game. The last season Bailey played at Artland Dragons (BBL) in Germany [read more]
Acea Virtus Roma (SerieA) inked 33-year old American (has also Jamaican passport) shooting guard Bryan Bailey (185-77kg-80, college: Bucknell). He started the season at BBC Bayreuth in German BBL league. In 33 games he recorded 12.2ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.7apg this season. A very good year in his career as he was voted to German Bundesliga All-Star Game. The last season Bailey played at Artland Dragons (BBL) in Germany. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 27 BBL games he averaged 6.8ppg, 1.2rpg and 2.3apg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. Bailey also played 7 games in EuroChallenge where he averaged 4.7ppg, 1.1rpg and 1.3apg. He also played 2 games in Eurocup where he averaged 6.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.0apg. Among other achievements Bailey played in the final of Polish League in 2009. He received also Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League 1st Team award back in 2008. Bailey is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Holland (Zwolle), Bosnia (Bosna ASA BHT), Poland (PGE Turow), Germany (Mainfranken and EWE Baskets) and Montenegro (Buducnost). Bailey attended Bucknell University until 2002 and it is his eleventh (!!!) season in pro basketball. His game is described as:
True team leader both on and off the court ... Possesses a diverse game, with an ability to stroke the long-range jumper, penetrate to the rim or distribute the ball ... Solid on the defensive end of the floor as well ... Fierce competitive drive rubs off on his teammates.
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