President of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) Paulton Gordon is hoping that Norman Powell’s selection to his first-ever NBA All-Star Game will serve as a major source of inspiration for Jamaica’s players both at the senior and youth levels.
Powell, 32, who currently plays for the Miami Heat, last Sunday, was named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference and will feature in the NBA All-Star Game, which is scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the LA Clippers on February 15.
A 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, Powell, a 6’3” shooting guard, has been outstanding this season and is enjoying the best campaign of his career. He is averaging a career-high 23 points per game while shooting an efficient 47 per cent from the field across 43 games. He is also connecting on 39 per cent of three-point attempts.
Gordon said Powell’s achievement is a powerful statement for Jamaican basketball and a clear example of what is possible with discipline and professionalism.
“Certainly, I hope this will inspire our young players and other members of our team because Norman has been our leader for World Cup qualification, and from day one, he has set a particular standard,” said Gordon.
“All the younger players around him understand what it takes to be a true professional. Both the players who are a part of the national team and the youngsters who are seeing what is happening in Jamaica basketball can now aspire to getting to the highest point in their career,” he said.
Although born in the United States, Powell is eligible to represent Jamaica through his father and has already played a key role in the country’s FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers campaign. Jamaica and Canada are currently tied at the top of the standings with four points apiece after the opening round of matches.
Gordon noted that Powell, who made his debut for Jamaica last summer, was well deserving of his All-Star selection given his consistent performances and leadership since joining Miami.
“I think based on his level of play this year, it was anticipated because he has been very consistent. He has moved from the LA Clippers into Miami, and he has immediately become a leader,” he said.
“At this point in time, he is expressing himself through basketball in a way that he has done throughout his career, and so we are very proud of him,” Gordon added.
The NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format this year, with a USA versus World showdown. Powell, who was traded from the Clippers to the Heat in the off-season, will suit up for Team USA Stripes, which will feature LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell.
