The Bahamian national team will field a roster featuring several NBA players in the upcoming qualifying games this month for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, according to journalist Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
The country has never qualified for the Olympics, but it has a chance to make history with talented NBA players in their roster in Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and guard Eric Gordon; Indiana Pacers wing Buddy Hield; and Charlotte Hornets big man Kai Jones.
"I'm excited to be back playing for Team Bahamas and to see how much the program has grown. Can't wait to play with my guys. It's truly a special experience to compete with teammates who are from where you're from, with Bahamas on your chest," Ayton mentioned to Andscape.
The Olympic qualifying tournament will be held at Santiago de Estero, Argentina, from August 14 to 20. Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Uruguay, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are other countries competing in the Bahamas.
NBA players Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon, Buddy Hield and Kai Jones are on the roster for their native Bahamas for the Olympic Qualifier in Santiago de Estero, Argentina on Aug. 14-20. Other countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Uruguay and the US Virgin Islands.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 31, 2023
The Bahamas need to win the tournament to be eligible for another Olympic qualifier next summer.
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Bahamas' strongest team in its history
The team that the Bahamas will send in the tournament is expected to be the strongest team it has ever fielded.
Ayton was a former top overall pick and an integral member of the championship-contending Suns, while Gordon and Hield are former Three-Point contest winners. Gordon was also named as the 2017 NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
The Bahamas currently has Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco as their head coach.
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