NATIONAL BASKETBALL Association (NBA) player, Devin Vassell, says he is more than willing to represent Jamaica on an international level and is ready to bring others to join.
Vassell, who plays small forward or shooting guard for the San Antonio Spurs, is among other NBA stars who want to represent Jamaica.
“I am 100 per cent willing to play for the national team,” declared Vassell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
“I have been trying to talk to some of the other guys I have been hearing to see if they want to play. I can’t speak on them, but I can tell you, I want to play,” added Vassell.
On Monday, the six-foot, five-inch guard, hosted a basketball clinic for 30 student-athletes from western Jamaica.
Nike gear, which included socks, knapsacks, T-shirts and shoes, were donated to the athletes at the clinic held at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School.
According to the president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA), Paulton Gordon, he is aiming to put together a competitive Jamaica team to represent overseas.
“I am aiming for a strong, powerful team that in the Americas will be a force to be reckoned with. That is where we are headed,” said Gordon, who expects Jamaica to compete in the FIBA Americas, the World Cup qualifiers tournament, and the Olympics.
Gordon was among those present at the basketball clinic.
FIBA has a rule that gives preference to those who acquire a passport before the age of 16 to reduce the potential for mass naturalisation of players just for basketball purposes.
So far, three NBA players are set to represent Jamaica in the World Cup prequalifiers in August. They are the Los Angeles Clippers, Norman Powell, Phoenix Suns, Nick Richards, and Minnesota Timberwolves, Josh Minott.
Emerging NBA stars, twins Amen and Ausar Thompson of the Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons, respectively, are both highly motivated to represent Jamaica as well.
As for Vassell, who averages 16 points per game, said he sees big things for Jamaica’s basketball.
“I want Jamaican basketball to be huge. I want it to be a sport in the Olympics where people know Jamaica basketball is coming. I want to bring home a gold medal, that is the ultimate goal for me.”
He noted that it is also important to have the sport in Jamaica because the NBA is growing.
“There are different stars overseas, like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, who have been dominating the league right now. Who’s to say it is not one of the kids here right now,” he said.
Asked about players of Jamaican heritage wanting to represent Jamaica, Gordon said it shows that Jamaica is on the right path.
“This shows that we are on the right path in terms of growing Jamaica basketball. The interest for overseas players is heartwarming,” Gordon told The Gleaner.
According to Gordon, it is unprecedented that the national open trials this weekend has over 50 overseas players registered to try out for the national team.
“The professional players have made commitments to give back to the grassroots programmes which will now put JaBA in a position to assist with the primary and community-based programmes,” said Gordon.
