JAMAICA’S basketball programme has gained significant momentum over the past year, which has led to increased interest from NBA stars of Jamaican heritage. Head Cach Rick Turner is optimistic about securing their commitment next year but admits there are hurdles to overcome.

The “Jamrockers”, seeking to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup for the first time, ended the international year on a high as they’re joint top of their group with Canada in the first round of Americas Qualifiers. After securing their spot through the pre-qualifiers in August the national side stunned Puerto Rico twice and are now just two wins away from the final round, with the top three from the group — which includes The Bahamas — advancing.

Prior to the team’s success, the acquisition of 2019 NBA champion and Miami Heat star Norman Powell created a huge buzz around the team, which sparked further interest from his NBA compatriots.

The Thompson twins, Amen of the Houston Rockets, and Ausar of the Detroit Pistons, both begun their citizenship process at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency in May. The American-born brothers, who qualify to play for Jamaica through their father, told the Jamaica Observer that they’d be willing to represent the island and help qualify the team for the Olympics and other FIBA competitions.

Jamaica guard and NBA star Norman Powell celebrates during their 80-76 OT group game win over Costa Rica in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualification (Americas) in Mexico, on August 8, 2025. FIBA

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell told the Observer in July that he “definitely wants to play“ for Jamaica, and plans to convince other heritage players to join him.

The Observer also reported in June that Toronto Raptors all-star Scottie Barnes and Detroit Pistons Centre Isaiah Stewart are among the players the Jamaica Basketball Association is trying to recruit. Phoenix Suns star Nick Richards is also a target and now holds a Jamaican passport.

Turner says discussions with the players are ongoing and he is hoping for a positive outcome in the near future.

“We’re trying to cultivate those relationships,” Turner told the Observer. “It’s hard to do during the NBA season because we want to give them space — we don’t want to be a distraction for them.

“There are some things in their path that they need to get accomplished in order to at least start the eligibility process, and we’re trying to work with them, their agents, parents, and other people close to them to make those things happen. So, yeah, it’s just cultivating relationships and trying to build a big pool of players — and then once that progresses a little bit then it’s navigating the FIBA eligibility situation and seeing where that can take us.”

Aside from acquiring citizenship locally, one major stumbling block for the players is the world governing body’s eligibility rules. JABA will have to make a special appeal to FIBA due to the players not holding a Jamaican passport before age 16. At the moment, FIBA only allows one naturalised player to play in their competitions.

Turner says the process is complicated but says the players’ interest in Jamaica is genuine, and hopes this is reflected in FIBA’s assessment.

“I think what they’re fighting against, and I would agree with, is they just don’t want basketball mercenaries showing up and claiming citizenship for a place for the sake of playing basketball,” he said.

“I don’t want that. That’s not the team that I want to put together, and I don’t think Jamaicans necessarily want that. I’m sure they want a competitive team but they want it to be made up of Jamaican, so we build these appeals and craft these appeals. We have to make sure that [this recruitment] it’s for people and players who are vested into the country.”

While overseas recruitment doesn’t always work out for some of Jamaica’s other sporting programmes, it’s off to a great start in basketball with Powell’s addition, who made his debut during the successful pre-qualifiers in August.

Despite being unavailable for the first four games of the first-round qualifiers, Turner says the Heat guard has made a significant difference to the programme.

“It was huge for a guy of his stature, just sort of the way his career had played out and the timing of it all,” Turner said. “The older he gets, the better he gets. He’s had his best two seasons as a pro the last two years [and is] definitely on the path of being an NBA All-Star this year.

“So, to have him involved certainly legitimised what we were doing. But then once he was involved, saw what it was, was around the guys, and we got to see the type of leader that he is and the commitment that he’s made — I can’t even put it really into words what that is. It’s everything from the impact he makes on the floor, to the eyes that he brings to social media, to the confidence that he portrays, and the work ethic that he portrays.”

Jamaica will return to the court without Powell and other NBA prospects in February when they take on The Bahamas, before battling Canada on March 1.

Their final two games are in July, away toThe Bahamas and Canada, where Powell could make a return with the NBA season ending in June.

Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes.

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell

Detroit Pistons centre Isaiah Stewart.

TURNER…I think what they’re fighting against, and I would agree with, is they just don’t want basketball mercenaries showing up and claiming citizenship for a place for the sake of playing basketballJABA