The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THREE decades ago marked the first time the Bahamas men’s national basketball team qualified for what was formerly known as the Tournament of Americas (now known as the FIBA AmeriCup) under the tutelage of legendary coach Gladstone “Moon” McPhee.

Over a week ago, the Bahamas men’s national basketball team secured a spot at the 2025 FIBA Americup to be hosted in Managua, Nicaragua, making it just the second time in history the team has accomplished this feat.

Coach McPhee, who led the team to an eighth-place finish in 1995, spoke about how it felt to witness the team qualify at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers.

“I am truly impressed. We have the talent but the key for every national team from the Bahamas is you have to love your country and be committed to represent your country to the best of your abilities. I feel we will be headed towards that again,” he said.

Back in the 1995 Tournament of Americas hosted in Tucuman and Neuquen, the Bahamas advanced out of the group stage with a 1-3 win/loss record.

The team secured their only victory of the group stage against Venezuela.

The Bahamas advanced to the quarterfinal stage and earned their first and only win of the round against Cuba before ending with a 1-6 record and eight points.

The team capped off the tournament with a 2-6 win/loss record good enough for the eighth position out of ten teams.

The Bahamas recently wrapped up Group D play with a 2-4 record after securing a crucial 97-74 win over Cuba in the third window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers.

The team will next play at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Tournament slated for August 23-31 in Managua, Nicaragua. 

Coach McPhee said the group of guys he had in those days did it for the love of the country but he expects the current crop of players to make it even further at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup.

“When I was there we only had a set crew that made the team and they loved their country. It wasn’t that we were so great but the guys were all committed to playing for their country and that’s the key of any national team. I am impressed and I expect us to go further than we did before,” he said.

Outside of enjoying the Bahamian basketball landscape, coach McPhee was recognised by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for his numerous contributions as an educator.

McPhee was one of three educators to have a road renamed in his honour earlier this week. His renaming was held at Coral Road near the Grand Bahama Sports Complex and the road is now known as Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee Drive.

He spoke about how it felt to receive his flowers for his notable contributions in the community. 

“I didn’t realize that the people in Grand Bahama named the street for me as one of the honourees and I did my part…When I was leaving Nassau I left a message that I will go to Grand Bahama and I will make Grand Bahama a basketball city, so said so done. I thought I did my best and was rewarded with a Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee Drive and it is really special,” he said.

McPhee was honoured along with educators Anita Doherty and Cecil Thompson.