Men’s basketball team arrives in Dom Rep
JAMAICA’S men’s basketball arrived in the Dominican Republic with a 12-man squad on Saturday to contest the Men’s Centro Basketball Tournament set to get underway today.
However, the team will be without familiar names like new NBA draftee Jerome Jordan and Samardo Samuels, but will include a newcomer in Indiana Pacer’s Roy Hibbert.
The seven-foot centre is expected to give Team Jamaica a much needed boost in the absence of their recognised stars.
The 2008 NBA draftee will make his debut if he participates in the opening game against the hosts on Tuesday.
The team plays British Virgin Island on Wednesday and US Virgin Island on Thursday. They completed their group fixture against Panama on Friday.
The Jamaicans are hoping to finish in the top two in the group and book a place in the July 10 semi-finals. The final is set for Sunday, July 11.
The remainer of the Jamaica squads reads: Andre Smith, Damion Staple, Akeem Scott, Garfield Blair, Kimani Ffriend, Ron Yates, Garfield Johns, Justin Leith, Marlon Smith, Terrell Christie and Jason Faulknor.
Sam Vincent is the team’s head coach and Paul Mokeski and Homer Gray his assistants. Pete Matthews is equipment manager and Karen Parker team physiotherapist.
