POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Jermaine Barnes
SANTIAGO -- J.D. Barnes (Jermaine) went overseas to become a global star as a basketball player. He's continuing this success now as a head coach.
One of Europe's top coaches, Barnes was hired Friday by the Immortals de Cibao, who recently joined the LDC; name Barnes head coach.
American-born, internationally seasoned and considered one of the game's brightest defensive minds, the 38-year-old Barnes has long been interested in coaching in the Dominican Republic and the LDC will give him his first shot after winning yet another United Cup final last weekend.
The club signed him to a reported three-year deal that includes a team option for a fourth year. Barnes is well known in Santiago as a player, he spend over 13 season playing professionally in 15 countries. In 2013 he signed a non guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves before being sidelined with a career ending injury.
Barnes would then start his new career in coaching. In five short seasons he would collect experience in Lebanon, Germany, France, Morocco and Spain. In 2016 he would led Team USA to a silver medal in the 38th Annual FIBA Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.
"Basketball is my life", said Barnes. I never thought I would enjoy coaching but it keeps me connected to a sport that saved my life.
The last time that the retired guard played in the Dominican Republic was in 2013 when he wore the colours of Titanes de Miramar. Jermaine Barnes was in formidable form for the team, becoming the league's best scorer with 27.9 pointer per game and following it with 9.0rpg, 6.3apg (1st) and 4.0spg (1st).
Coach Awards and Achievements:
FIBA William Jones Cup for Women in Taiwan -14, 15, 16 (Silver)
Copa Mitchell Cup (Gold) -15,16,17
Copa Mitchell Cup in Dominican Republic -15,16,17
USBasket.com All-WUBA Coach of the Year -17
WUBA Champion -17
Eurobasket.com All-Mediterranean Cup Best Coach -17, 18
Mediterranean Cup in Barcelona (Spain) Winner -17
Coach Assistant: Lebanese WLBL All-Star Game -17, 18
Eurobasket.com All-Liga Catalonia Cup Best Coach (Spain) -18
Liga Catalonia Cup Winner in Barcelona -18
Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Coach of the Year -19
German 2.Bundesliga Group North Finalist -19, 20
Eurobasket.com All-Mediterranean Cup Coach of the Year -19
Mediterranean Cup Winner (France) -19
Moroccan Throne Cup Winner -21
Afrobasket.com All-Moroccan Throne Cup Best Coach -21
Latinbasket.com All-United Cup Coach of the Year -21, 22
United Cup Winner -21, 22
