The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Basketball Federation has announced the 24-member preliminary squad for the men’s national team as they prepare for the third window of FIBA World Cup – Americas Qualifiers.

The Bahamas will face the US Virgin Islands on June 28 and close out competition July 2 against the Dominican Republic.

This is the most accomplished and talented roster pool the BBF has been able to compile since the team began their path toward qualification months ago.

The preliminary squad is highlighted by two NBA players, nine players from other professional leagues around the globe five NCAA Division I players and two NBA G-League draft picks among others.

Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings and future NBA lottery pick Deandre Ayton are the most noteworthy additions to the prospective roster. Jaraun Burrows, Michael Bain Jr, Michael Carey, David Nesbitt and Abel Joseph have all appeared in both previous windows (four games) while Lynden Rose, Shaquille Cleare, Jonathan Fairell, Alonzo Hinds, Kentwan Smith, Eugene Bain each appeared in just one of the two windows thus far. Other professional players - JR Cadot, Kadeem Coleby and Zane Knowles have also been added along with NCAA products Dwight Coleby, Jaron Cornish, Franco Miller, Travis Munnings, Lourawls Nairn and Nathan Bain.

The final roster will be trimmed to 12 players ahead of the game against the USVI.

In the first window, the Bahamas lost 93-69 to Canada and 93-85 to the USVI.

In the second window, they lost 96-63 to the visiting Dominican Republic and fell to 0-4 after a 113-67 loss in a rematch against Canada. Their final two games will be on the road on Friday, June 29 in the US Virgin Islands and Monday, July 2 in the Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas has been placed in Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, playing against Canada, The Dominican Republic and The Virgin Islands. Group C comprises of Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Cuba. Group A comprises of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Panama. Group B includes Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Colombia.

Sixteen teams from the division will be competing in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas qualifiers and only seven teams will advance to the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 18th annual tournament for the men’s national basketball teams and will be held in China. The seven top contenders from the FIBA Basketball World Cup will qualify directly for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.