The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

JEREMIAH Cooper is hoping to use an historic opportunity to represent The Bahamas in international esports as a platform to inspire the next generation of competitive gamers.

Cooper, a small home building inspector based in Grand Bahama, was part of the three-man Bahamian team that finished first in the NBA 2K 3v3 regional qualifiers for the Global Esports Games 2026, alongside teammates Dwight Clarke Jr and Clint Newry.

The competition was held on August 15, with The Bahamas finishing ahead of seven other countries in the regional qualifying process after tightly contested games against Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The achievement earned Cooper recognition from the Ministry of Urban Renewal and Community Relations, which extended congratulations to him on behalf of Minister Lisa Rahming, the permanent secretary, co chairs, managing director, senior officials and staff of the ministry.

The ministry’s congratulatory message also highlighted Cooper’s accomplishment as a first place winner representing The Bahamas in the NBA 2K Global Esports Federation 3v3 National Team Regional Qualifiers.

The Global Esports Games 2026 are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California, December 1-7. “Being nominated to represent my country really means a lot to me. Actually, it means everything to me, to wear the Bahamian flag across my chest in any facet or any light, whatever I’m doing,” Cooper said.

“Humbly speaking, I was very appreciative of them for nominating me because, honestly speaking, there are a lot of other people who play the game who I feel I’m better than. But at the end of the day, it was a selection and I got selected to play and represent my country. It was an honour.”

Cooper’s journey into competitive gaming began with a friendship that developed through NBA 2K, the basketball simulation video game that has become a major part of the global esports landscape.

He was introduced to the competitive side of the game through his friend Clint, whom he has known since NBA 2K20. Although Cooper had played video games casually for years, he began competing seriously in NBA 2K21, entering money leagues and other organised gaming environments. “I’ve always been in the scene of competitive gaming, but I never played with a structured organisation like Team Bahamas before,” he said.

His experience in online competitions helped prepare him for the regional qualifiers, but representing his country brought a different level of responsibility.

The team had limited time to develop chemistry before the competition, creating an additional challenge against opponents who had potentially spent much longer playing together. Cooper, Clarke and Newry knew one another, but familiarity did not automatically translate into the coordination required to compete at a high level in the three against three format. “The journey to becoming first place winners was not easy. Although we all have experience playing in other competitive leagues and stuff like that, there is nothing like wearing your flag across your chest,” Cooper said. “For me, and speaking for my teammates as well, there was a sense of urgency that we couldn’t let this opportunity slip away when it was our first time ever representing our country in the regional qualifiers. We could not take it for granted.”