The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MEN's senior national basketball team head coach Mario Bowleg called this current Bahamas roster "one of the most talented the federation has put together" as they continue to seek FIBA World Cup qualification.

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield will headline the roster for the third window of the Americas Group qualifier as the Bahamas gets set to take on the US Virgin Islands on June 28 and the Dominican Republic on July 2 in Puerto Rico.

Other current professional players on the roster include Jaraun "Kino" Burrows (FOS Provence Basket - French B), Michael Carey Jr (Etoile -French B), Zane Knowles (Etoile - French B), Kadeem Coleby (Akita, Japan), Shaquille Cleare (LNG - Switzerland), Lynden Rose of the NBA G-League's Salt Lake City Stars and G-League draftee Danrad 'Chicken' Knowles.

Team Bahamas will also feature recent NCAA Division I graduates Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr (Michigan State), Dwight Coleby (Western Kentucky) and current Division I players Jaron Cornish (Stony Brook) and Travis Munnings (ULM Warhawks).

"I got the easiest job in the world. To have this team to choose from, these aren't tough decisions. The staff has already put a time management system in place how we will manage time and who will be on the floor. The starting lineup has not been finalised, but there has to be chemistry in the mix," Bowleg said.

"We all will meet in Puerto Rico and our first practice is scheduled for [Monday] at 4pm so it'll just be great to have that energy under one roof. We have about six practices before our first game. I don't think it matters much who starts or who comes off the bench. Each player brings different assets to the game and we think it is up to our staff to make those connections and get the right mix and chemistry."

Bowleg will be assisted by Norris Bain, Kevin Johnson and BBF technical director Steve Barnes. Also joining the staff this year will be Chris DeMarco of the Golden State Warriors.

DeMarco serves as an assistant and player developmental coach for the defending NBA champions. He also coached the team at the Las Vegas Summer League in 2017. "I'm excited to be here, a ton of talent from the players to the coaches I'm really excited to contribute," he said. "There is great energy right now moving forward and I'm just excited to get to work and be a part of it."

The head of the delegation will be BBF secretary general Clifford Rahming. Other delegates include Moses Johnson, Rodney Wilson and Elvardo Kemp serves as the team's manager.

Carey has played in both of the previous windows for the Bahamas as they searched for continuity.

"We have all of the elite guys right now. I would say the only names we are probably missing are guys like Franco Miller Jr and Deandre Ayton, but this is the group of elite Bahamians so we got to get it done. We have everybody, there are no more excuses so we have to get it done right now," he said. "Everybody knows the game and has played at a high level. It's going to be beautiful to work with. It'll be fun competing and I can't wait."

The Bahamas must beat the USVI by at least 10 points to advance to the next round.

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.

The Baha Mar resort is team's official sponsor.

"Baha Mar is committed to being a good corporate citizen and sponsoring our athletes. We are honoured to offer our full support behind this federation in ensuring this team achieves its ultimate goal," said Robert Sands, Baha Mar's senior vice-president of external affairs.

"We reaffirm our commitment that we will do everything that is in our part to ensure that these athletes are able to achieve these goals."