The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AS WE bid farewell to the 2016, a year that has been tremendous for Bahamian sporting enthusiasts, it is time to cast our collective consideration to everything on the horizon for 2017. With the flip of the calendar comes a cadre of possibilities.

Buddy Hield, the Bahamas’ favourite son, will look to expand his tepid (in my opinion) rookie NBA campaign with the New Orelans Pelicans with that coveted rookie of the year award still wide open.

Since being drafted by the Pelicans, Buddy has managed to impress in spurts but consistency has remained a major question. Managing only eight starts for the struggling Pelicans heading into last night’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, Buddy has certainly struggled to make inroads thus far.

But, luckily for him, rookie performances across the league have been trending average for much of the season.

As it stands, his biggest competition in the category are Magic’s Dario Saric, the Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and ‘The Process’ himself, Sixers’ Joel Embiid.

Coming off of his career best game last Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, a game in which he turned in a career-high 21 points while adding five three-pointers, five rebounds and two assists, Buddy notched his sixth straight start, a stretch in which he is averaging a little over 30 minutes and 11 points per game.

On the year, Buddy is averaging 18.6 minutes, 8.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists so if Buddy can extend his recent stretch of good games and manages to build on them, he can start to put some separation between himself and the other top performers in the 2016 rookie class.

Next, we have the next big thing. Deandre Ayton is the real deal.

Yes Buddy is big - lottery pick, surefire NBA superstar big - but it is time that all Bahamians pay attention to the growth and development of Ayton.

Committing to Arizona in the fall, the seven footer is being compared to several of the greatest big men to ever play the game.

With those recent US visa issues that followed his latest trip home now behind him, the top rated player in the 2017 class is now all set to lead the nationally-ranked Hillcrest Prep to a big season.

His heart and dedication to basketball is second to none. Ayton spent most of the time he was stuck in Nassau following the “Sand between your toes” tournament at a local gym pumping iron. Seriously.

Let’s keep it real. For most of us, time away from responsibilities back on home soil would result in bad eating trends and constant night outings with old friends, but Ayton showed discipline and good work ethic, staying committed to athletic routines and habits.

With most experts pegging him as a top pick if he enters the draft next year, the Bahamas could have back-to-back strong showings at the NBA draft.

Away from Buddy and Ayton, the Bahamas will play host to several of the world’s foremost sporting events in 2017.

This year gave us Shaunae Miller and her “dive for gold” moment at the Rio Olympics, but 2017 brings with it two opportunities for Bahamian track and field fanatics to celebrate the talent the country has to offer - the IAAF World Championships in London next summer and the IAAF World Relays here at home in April at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

Three months later, in July, the stadium and the island of Nassau will play host to the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Further, soccer fans would be able to see dozens of the world’s premier beach players on display at the Bahamas’ new $2.5m complex currently under construction at Malcolm Park West in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in April.

These events come in addition to the annual Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, Battle 4 Atlantis, golf’s Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic and Tiger Woods Hero World Challenge - plus a host of local sporting events.

So here is a bit of advice. Rest well this holiday season - 2017 looks busy!

• Ricardo Wells writes Fourth Quarter Press every Monday. Comments to rwells@tribunemedia.net