DESPITE Jamaica losing home advantage in their opening game of the first round of FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers, Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) President Paulton Gordon says he’s confident the team has enough quality to overcome hosts Puerto Rico.

In Group B the Jamaicans take on Puerto Rico on Friday at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, before meeting again on Monday at the same venue.

Following their historic qualification in August during the pre-qualifying tournament, Jamaica was set for hosting duties in the opener against Puerto Rico.

However, an unsuccessful inspection in September by world governing body FIBA of the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James and the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston meant JABA was forced to forego hosting.

The court at the National Indoor Sports Centre was approved and other modifications to the venue could have been completed, but the $3.5-million dollar installation of a new scoreboard was too costly for JABA to complete within the necessary time frame.

“They literally sent the requirements a week and a half after they visited at the end of September, and they wanted it by the first week of October for us to say we can put these things in place,” Gordon told the
Jamaica Observer. “We didn’t have enough time to put all of the pieces in place. They really wanted almost a two-month window to confirm that we can actually host.”

Jamaica have two scheduled home games against The Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1. Along with a new scoreboard FIBA has requested new hoops, improved lighting for broadcast, additional space for the opposing team and media, and doping control.

Gordon says it will be a challenge but the association is doing all it can for Jamaicans to witness their countrymen compete.

“We have to make some decisions in another two or three weeks,” he said. “We have kind of put some information out to our partners as to [the details] and the requirements, and we are in touch with some of them in terms of what is required.

“So, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we can get the high-level basketball back to Jamaica, end of February, against Bahamas and then subsequently, the following week against Canada — so we’re still hopeful.”

Fortunately for JABA, a financial burden was eased in this window due to an act of kindness by their opponents.

“The Puerto Rican Basketball Association are covering the cost of accommodation, covering the cost of meals and our on-the-ground transportation,” Gordon said. “So we just got the guys there for the camp and we’re really grateful to the Puerto Rican Basketball Association who has kind of reached out, especially since Melissa, to say, ‘We’re here for you.’ ”

Only three of the four teams in the group will advance to the second round of World Cup qualifying. Jamaica are the lowest-ranked team — at 19th in the region — with Puerto sitting at number five.

Jamaica will also be without Miami Heat star Norman Powell as FIBA doesn’t require the NBA to release its players for international games during the season.

However, they will have the services of former NBA draft prospect Kofi Cockburn who has averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in the Korean Basketball League.

“Puerto Rico is really a decent team, a very good team,” Gordon said. “[They] didn’t have to play the qualifiers, because of their recent performances, and so they’re a really good team so we have to be at our best to compete with them.

“But we’re confident; we are hoping that the guys can pull it off. We really want to start this round on a positive note and are looking forward for a really top-class Jamaican performance.”

In the other group games The Bahamas will host Canada on Friday in Nassau before travelling to Toronto on Monday for their second encounter.

Members of Jamaica’s basketball team celebrate advancing to the next round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas) in Mexico in August. They finished second in the group following wins against Barbados and Costa Rica. (Photo: FIBA)

Jamaica Basketball Association President Paulton Gordon.