BBF names FIBA World Cup qualifying team

BBF names FIBA World Cup qualifying team
Buddy Hield.

The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) on Saturday named the 12-man roster that will represent the country this month in the final window of the 2019 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Qualifiers.

The team for this window is arguably the most talented and easily the most accomplished team ever assembled by the federation.

The squad will be led by Sacramento Kings guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield and former team captain Jaraun “Kino” Burrows.

Others members of the team include Lourawls Nairn, Lynden Rose, Kadeem Coleby, Travis Munnings, Danrad Knowles, Joshua Cornish, Zane Knowles, Shaquille Cleare and Dwight Coleby.

Mario Bowleg will serve as head coach, and he will be assisted by Norris Bain, Chris Demarco (Golden State Warriors) and Kevin “KJ” Johnson.

On hand for the naming of the team was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard, who said, he expects this team to fare well against international competition.

“We like to congratulate the BBF for the excellent work it continues to do in regards of preparing our teams,” Pintard said.

“We also like to thank Baha Mar for all that it has done to help out our team. They are doing a wonderful job. Sports is a development tool, and one of its main hinderances here is resources. I know the ultimate goal for us is to be prepared an in the mix in 2020 at the Olympics, and we know with fan support and corporate sponsors, we can do it.”

Once again, the Baha Mar resort serves as the team’s title sponsor.

“Baha Mar is committed to being a good corporate citizen and supporting our athletes,” Baha Mar Senior Vice President Robert Sands said.

“We reaffirm our commitment that we will do everything in our power to help our athletes achieve their goals.”

Team Bahamas takes on the U.S. Virgin Islands on June 28 and follows that up with its final game against the Dominican Republic on July 2.

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.