Jamaica stun Puerto Rico 92-90
Jamaica stunned Puerto Rico 92-90 as they kicked off their FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers on the back of 26 points and 15 rebounds from debutant Kofi Cockburn.
The 26-year-old centre, who plays for Japanese club Hiroshima Dragonflies, led all scorers in a dominant display and was ably assisted by Tyran De Lattibeaudiere with 15 points.
It was a very good all-around display from Jamaica as six players got into double digits, as guard Andrew Thelwell scored 12 points and Kenton Facey, Romaine Thomas and Chase Audige all scored 11 points.
Christopher Ortiz top-scored for Puerto Rico with 17 points and was followed by Gian Clavell with 14 and Zakai Zeigler with 13 points.
It was a close game until Jamaica had a massive third quarter, winning 24-11 and establishing an eight-point gap at the end of the third quarter 76-68. The first quarter was tied 26-26 but Puerto Rico won the second quarter 31-26 and went into the halftime break leading 57-52.
But Jamaica turned it around and held on for a two-point victory as Puerto Rico won the fourth quarter 22-16.
Paulton Gordon, president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA), could barely contain his joy after the 95th-ranked Jamaica stunned a Puerto Rican team ranked 16th in the world at their home.
“The players showed real commitment and passion in a very hostile environment. They were truly tested but kept their composure,” he told the Jamaica Observer Online.
“This is a victory that shows that we can compete with the very best,” he pointed out.
“The players were determined to lift the spirits of the basketball community and the wider Jamaican community at large after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa,” Gordon added.
Jamaica are drawn in Group B alongside Canada, The Bahamas and Puerto Rico as they hunt a spot at the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
Jamaica have two scheduled home games against The Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1 2026.
The groups for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers are:
Group A United States, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua
Group B Puerto Rico, Canada, Bahamas, Jamaica
Group C Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile
Group D Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Cuba
