The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING the completion of the men’s and women’s college basketball games in December, the Bahamas will play host to the first Hoopfest in Paradise Tournament for high school boys’ basketball teams.

Local organiser Jeff Rodgers revealed that the high school tournament will feature the majority of the top players heading to college when they come here to compete from December 16-17 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium with games being carried live on ESPN.

Heading the list of players on the men’s side are LeBron Raymone ‘Bronny’ James, the son of National Basketball Association superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mikey Williams and Amari Bailey, while Janiah Barker is the top performer on the women’s side.

All of these players are projected to be among the top players heading into major division one colleges before they become lottery picks in the NBA or the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as is the case with Barker.

“These are the top players in high school, who are projected to go to the NBA and the WNBA,” Rodgers said. “This is the first time that the tournament is being played outside of the United States and we are getting to host it.”

It’s anticipated that more than 1,000 spectators will travel with the players to watch them compete in the tournament, which is expected to draw an All- Star high school team out of New Providence and one out of Grand Bahama.

“Personally, I’m excited about it. Anything to do with getting heads in beds here to impact our economy, I get excited and that’s what makes me so excited about bringing this tournament here,” said Rodgers, who is working along with Hoopfest founder/president Glenn Smith, along with Jerome Gomez, a former Progressive Liberal Party Member of Parliament.

“For the many years I’ve spent working in the Ministry of Tourism, one of the goals is always to bring events that attract families, friends and fans. So I’m excited about it and they are excited about it. This is the first time the tournament is being held here and Bahamians will get a chance to watch the future NBA and WNBA stars.”

To date, the tournament has featured over 50 McDonald All-American players, 60 state champions and 23 current NBA players including Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, PJ Washington, Jaylen Brown, RJ Hampton, Tyrese Maxey, Emmanuel Mudiay, Terrance Ferguson, Jahmi’us Ramsey and Damyean Dotson.

Additionally, current WNBA players Ariel Atkins, a guard with the Washington Mystics, Moriah Jefferson, a guard with the Dallas Wings and Chennedy Carter, a guard with the Atlanta Dream, as well as Deja Kelly, a sophomore guard for the North Carolina Tar Heels, who was a 2020 McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand All-American, have all participated in the tournament.

A major press conference involving the organisers and both the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism is planned for next week when more details surrounding the hosting of the tournament will be revealed.