WITH 21 days to go before 2010 NBA draft which involves Jamaicans Jerome Jordan and Samardo Samuels, Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) president Ajani Williams foresees an increase in scholarships for Jamaicans locally and in the United States.

The 6ft-10in Williams, a former NBA player, predicts that not only the quantity, but also the quality of colleges and universities wooing Jamaicans will also go up.

“There was a time in history when it was only Division 3 or NAIA schools that recruited in Jamaica; however, times change fast as now two of the biggest prospects to come out of Jamaica since (Patrick) Ewing are now in this year’s 2010 draft and both attended well-recognised major Division 1 programmes,” he said.

“Samardo Samuels, after being a Nike Top 5, McDonald’s All-American and USA Today’s number one high school player went to University of Louisville where he started and finished as their leading scorer before opting to go pro. Samardo, long before the US bright lights, was a standout player for Muschette High School in Trelawny.

“Jerome Jordan, who attended Florida Air Academy after leaving JC, dominated his conference in college where he attended the University of Tulsa. He led his conference in blocks and rebounds a few years and decided to do all four years of college before entering the draft,” Williams pointed out.

Both Samuels and Jordan, the basketball boss noted, “are living proof that basketball pays both on and off the court as Jerome has not only earned a degree from a solid school, but will also see his dream realised this June 24.

“Samardo will also eventually finish his degree, though opting to turn pro early. They will both be able to earn substantial incomes that will position them, if managed well, to have a lasting effect on their countries.

“The many players that are already playing international in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, have also been doing well where salaries range from USD$50,000 per year to more than USD$2m per year,” he added.

A mock draft, updated regularly, has Samuels and Jordan as the number 40 and 41st pick in the NBA draft. The 6ft-8in power forward Samuels is set for the Indiana Pacers while the 7ft centre Jordan seems to be heading for the Miami Heats.

Meanwhile, the JaBA boss is encouraging financial institutions to sponsor basketball players and their programmes in order to have them as clients.

“Imagine if Jerome and Samardo even invested or banked 20 per cent of their earning in Jamaica,” Williams argued.