NBA star not happy with FIBA rule’s impact on Jamaica

Jamaica and Chicago Bulls shooting guard Norman Powell believes a FIBA eligibility rule that prevents several top NBA talents from representing the country has put a “damper” on what Jamaica can achieve on the international stage. He says he is working with the Jamaica Basketball Association and FIBA in an effort to have the rule amended.

Under FIBA regulations, a player born in another country who wishes to represent the nation of a parent or grandparent must obtain citizenship or a passport from that country before turning 18.

However, the 33-year-old former NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors believes players are being penalised for circumstances beyond their control. He also feels Jamaica would be far more competitive if those players were eligible to represent the country.

“A lot of the guys that have Jamaican descent or heritage are being penalised for something that their parents didn’t do or their grandparents moved away from Jamaica,” he told FadeAway World in an interview this week.

“They didn’t know the national team was a thing, since it’s been 15 years since we (national team) first played a game. So we’re trying to work with FIBA to get it changed or altered.

“It’s putting a damper on what Jamaica is able to do, with being able to compete at a very high level, because a lot of these guys’ parents didn’t get their dual citizenship. That’s tough,” he commented.

After a promising start in the FIBA Americas World Cup qualifiers, Jamaica faltered against The Bahamas and Canada and were eliminated from contention.

Powell said the team must assess its performance in the qualifiers and make the necessary adjustments ahead of future campaigns. However, he stressed that having access to some of the NBA talent linked to Jamaica could make a significant difference.

“It’s about retooling and seeing what we need to do. We have a lot of interest from NBA guys – Devin Vassell, the Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar), the Champagnie brothers (Justin and Julian), Isaiah Stewart and a couple of other guys that want to play.

“So it’s about figuring out how we can get as many NBA guys and top-talented guys that are a part of the team.”

Missed crucial games

Because of his free-agency situation during the qualifiers, Powell was unable to suit up for Jamaica in the crucial games against The Bahamas and Canada. Despite that setback, he said efforts are already under way to ensure the programme is better prepared going forward.

“Unfortunately, with the Jamaican national team, I wasn’t able to play, just with how free agency went.

“I thought we would get an agreed-upon deal a little earlier and I’d be able to suit up and play, but when it started lingering into those games, I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. But I still wanted to show up and support, and still be there for the team in The Bahamas and talk to them,” he disclosed.

“After we got a deal, I wasn’t able to go up into Canada. It’s tough that I wasn’t able to play. I really wanted to help them advance into the next round and be playing in some of these qualifying windows in August.

“Unfortunately, they got knocked out. That’s tough, but I’m going to be talking to the head of the national team and try to help reshape that.

“Then the next time the availability window is open for us to qualify, the team will be a lot stronger and more prepared. Hopefully, we’ll then be able to get some more NBA guys cleared and be able to play for the team.”

Lucrative contract

Powell recently agreed to a two-year, US$45-million deal with the Bulls. He earned the lucrative contract following his first NBA All-Star selection, having established himself as one of the league’s most dependable two-way players.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his free agency, Powell said he was delighted that his agent, Jason Glushon, and Khalid McCaskill were able to get a deal completed.

“We thought this was the best situation for me going to Chicago. I’m really excited we were able to get a deal done. I’m excited to start a new chapter with a new organisation, an historic team that has a lot of youth and potential.”

That young core includes Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Dailyn Swain. Powell said he is also looking forward to working with head coach Tiago Splitter.

“I’m really excited to get with the guys, work out with them and display my ‘old-man leadership’ and wisdom on this very youthful team. Hopefully, I can shape the mentality and change some things over to winning ways with how we’re going to play and execute going into this season, along with Tiago coming in as a new head coach. I’m really excited to play for him,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com