CARACAS, Venezuela — In comparison to his skyscraper-like teammates, Jamaica’s basketball player Akeem Scott is a little fellow.

However, do not be fooled. The six-foot one-inch point guard will not be easily outdone on the court.

Born in Harlem, New York, he is all about boundless energy, unyielding fight and passion, and those elements make him a prized asset in the JamRockerZ set-up.

He was handed the ultimate reward for all that verve when Jamaica, first-time entrants at the FIBA Americas Championship, shocked Brazil last Tuesday — on his birthday, no less — to advance from a challenging first-round group.

Though Scott only had nine points, five rebounds, one assist, and a lone steal on the night, his pair of clutch free throws with seconds remaining put Jamaica ahead for good in the epic encounter.

“It was amazing… can’t get no better birthday gift. History on your birthday is something you can’t forget. Years go by and you forget some birthdays; well, no matter how old I get I’m always going to remember this,” the 30-year-old elatedly told the Jamaica Observer.

Jamaica, who defeated another regional power, reigning winners Argentina on Friday last, were eliminated at the second round after losing to Mexico two days ago.

At press time last night, the JamRockerZ had a match against hosts Venezuela to round out an eventful campaign that has provided plenty of experience and insight.

Scott, whose father has roots in Rae Town, Kingston, said the tournament has been a “roller coaster” ride for him and his teammates.

“The experience in the tournament is a bit of a roller coaster. We have had our ups and downs [but] the main thing is we are trying to stick together. With every game we have done one or two things better,” said the man who attended university in North Carolina.

His battle with Puerto Rico’s star point guard Jose Barea in a first-round loss for the Jamaicans was a talking point for spectators at the Poliedro de Caracas.

Barea had a game-high 24 points to go with five rebounds and three assists to help Puerto Rico, but Scott put in a tidy display himself, scoring nine, dishing out seven assists, and pulling down a couple boards.

Still, Jamaica’s little dynamite said he could have done more to nullify the former Dallas Mavericks player.

“Barea is an NBA guy and I always look to that battle. He got the better of the battle. I should have made him shoot more [from long range], but that didn’t work and I think I could have done more to fluster him.

“I know what I’m capable of doing and what I’ve done against him before. It’s part of basketball and if you can’t look in the mirror and see what you did wrong, there’s no reason to be on the court. You got to point at yourself first,” he said.

After six games at the tournament, Scott averaged 12.3 points per game, four rebounds per game, and 2.7 assists per game.

With regard to his future, the speedy guard, who has played in European countries such as Finland and Latvia, as well as in Latin American territories like Mexico and here in Venezuela, said he is weighing a return to the latter for the upcoming season.