Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson has shown interest in playing for The Bahamas in international competitions, but it seems unlikely to materialize.
Despite joining the Bahamian national team's training camp in preparation for their 2024 Olympic qualifier next month, the 34-year-old is not expected to suit up in official games for the country.
Thompson cannot compete for another country in senior men's national team competitions unless Team USA releases him and the switch is approved by FIBA, according to journalist Marc Stein in his newsletter on Substack.
The four-time NBA champion had already represented the United States in the past and won gold medals at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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USA Basketball is not expected to grant the sharpshooter's release, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Klay Thompson's sentimental message after playing for The Bahamas
Thompson recently participated in a scrimmage with the Bahamian national team held in Houston, and he posted a sentimental message on social media while reposting highlights from the event.
"The future of Bahamian basketball is so bright. My Grandpa T would be so happy to see us all come together," Thompson said on his Instagram Stories.
The five-time NBA All-Star has Bahamian lineage through his father, Mychal, who was born and raised in the country.
Mychal also played in the NBA, winning two championships during the latter part of the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers dynasty of the 1980s.
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