With Jamaican guard Norman Powell being selected as an NBA All-Star for the first time, national basketball Head Coach Rick Turner says it’s a reward for his consistent growth and should bring more attention to Jamaica’s basketball programme.

On Sunday, the NBA announced that Miami Heat guard Powell will be a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in the All-Star Game, set for February 15 in Los Angeles.

The 32-year-old, who made his debut for Jamaica last summer, has had a standout season so far with the Heat, averaging a career high and team leading 23 points from 43 games, while shooting 47 per cent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.

American-born Powell becomes the second Jamaican representative to make an All-Star team, joining former Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert, who earned selections in 2012 and 2014. Patrick Ewing, who represented the USA, remains the only Jamaican-born player to be named an All Star.

Last August, 2019 NBA champion Powell played a key role in Jamaica qualifying for the first round of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers with the country currently sitting joint top of their group with Canada.

Turner told the Jamaica Observer that Powell’s selection is a significant achievement for him and the country.

“He has a Jamaican father, he has embraced his Jamaican roots, he’s immersed himself into Jamaica basketball and has not only championed it with his time and effort but he’s done things behind the scenes and from a leadership role so to have him be named an all-star is great for us,” Turner said.

“But more importantly, it’s great for him and it’s such a huge accomplishment after having a 10- or 11-year career, I just think it’s awesome for him. He seems to be getting better with age and it’s just well-deserved and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

With this year’s All-Star Game adopting a new ‘USA vs the World’ format, Powell will likely play on the international team, given his switch of allegiance to Jamaica. It means he could team up with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, reigning NBA champion Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and two-time most valuable player and NBA champions Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounpo.

Turner says Powell’s presence on the All-Star stage could send a message that Jamaica’s basketball programme is on the rise.

“Norm has been one of those guys that people that know basketball and appreciate basketball have known about him for a long time and appreciated him. But, with his trade to Miami and now an all-star selection, he’s becoming a more recognisable figure around the league,” he said.

“Last year he participated in the All-Star Weekend in the three-point contest, but getting selected to the team puts a whole different set of eyes on you and has an opportunity to expose people to the fact that we are playing basketball in Jamaica and we do have some very good players. And hopefully it does lead to more support and more funding and because the only thing holding us back is funding.”

Two-time Olympic champion and three time All Star with the Miami Heat Bam Adebayo says teammate Powell fully deserves the new accolade after years of effort.

“Norm has fought through a lot, injury-wise, and still pushing and still trying to be something he’s never done before,” Adebayo said. “We felt like he got snubbed last year, and for him to finally get that nod, you’re happy for somebody like that because he’s put so much work into his craft, and he deserves it.”

Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra says Powell is a role model due to his level of discipline and consistency.

“I think it’s awesome. I think it’s great that he’s been able to continue to get better each year as a pro. That should be inspiring for other guys too that you don’t have to be labelled at 24 years old or you can only improve the first three years in your NBA career — that’s not true,” he said.

“It takes a special kind of personality and work ethic and somebody that’s determined and relentless. We welcomed him with open arms, we were thrilled to have him, he was thrilled to be a part of this culture and it was terrific to see him get acknowledged for that.”

Powell will be unavailable for Jamaica’s next two games in Americas Qualifying for the 2027 World Cup against The Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1. However, he’s set to make a return after the completion of the NBA season for the remaining two games against The Bahamas on July 3 and Canada on July 6.

Jamaica need two more wins to automatically qualify for the final round of qualifying.

Norman Powell (centre) of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during their game against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP)

Norman Powell (Photo: AFP)

TURNER…he’s immersed himself into Jamaica basketball and has not only championed it with his time and effort but he’s done things behind the scenes and from a leadership role so to have him be named an all-star is great for us (Photo: JABA)

Powell’s Miami Heat teammate Bam Adebayo (Photo: AFP)