The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Basketball Federation has named its senior men’s national team roster for the second window of the FIBA Americas World Cup 2023 qualifiers.

This weekend, The Bahamas is slated to face The US Virgin Islands on February 26 and The Dominican Republic on February 27 in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.

Returning from the first window will be national team veterans Travis Munnings, Mychel Thompson, JR Cadot, Radshad Davis and Willis Mackey Jr.

The remainder of the roster includes Tavario Miller, Danrad Knowles, Robert Joseph, Dajhon Wildgoose and Sebastian Gray. Moses Johnson Jr returns as the head coach assisted by John-Marc Nutt and Steve Barnes.

The team manager is Elvardo Kemp, Alicia Greene is the athletic trainer and Rodney Wilson is the head of the delegation.

“Continuity is so important because it builds upon what you have already, so to bring that continuity to the former windows with guys that have played in those last windows and now some of the other guys that may not have played but have been a part of the nucleus for some time,” Johnson said. “That will help us going forward because now you don’t have to reinforce the things you have done for the past few years.”

The team underwent their first practice session yesterday since they arrived in The Dominican Republic.

“Good practice, we’re getting our legs underneath us getting acclimated to the weather and climate. The guys went out and gave their best effort and I think it was a great practice,” Johnson said.

“We are starting to build on some of the stuff that will be executed on Saturday and Sunday. The guys are enthusiastic, it was a great effort out there and they are in high spirits, they are starting to synergise which is important. “We have four days, but we are looking forward to the challenge and I’m sure we are going to be ready to compete.”

Team Bahamas was drawn into Group C alongside Canada, The Dominican Republic and The US Virgin Islands.

In November’s first window, The Bahamas suffered a 115-73 loss to Canada in the first game of a back-to-back in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic.

Dominick Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 13 points, David Nesbitt scored 12, Mychel Thompson scored 11 and JR Cadot finished with nine.

Canada took a decisive 113-77 win in the second game. David Nesbitt led The Bahamas with 18 points, Travis Munnings had 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Mychel Thompson and Dominick Bridgewater each finished with 12 points.

In the third and final window, The Bahamas will have its second matchup against The USVI on July 1 and will conclude with the second matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4.