San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell has expressed a strong desire to represent Jamaica on the international basketball stage and has pledged to rally other NBA players of Jamaican descent to join the movement. His statement comes as the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) continues its push to strengthen the national team with top-tier talent.
Speaking at his inaugural basketball clinic at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay—where he donated basketball gear to student athletes from across western Jamaica—Vassell made his intentions clear.
“I’m 100 percent willing to play for the national team. I definitely want to play,” Vassell said. “I’ll be reaching out to some of the other guys who have Jamaican ties to see if they’re interested as well. I can’t speak for them, but I can speak for myself—I want to represent Jamaica.”
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Vassell is eligible to wear the black, green, and gold thanks to his father, Andrew, a native of Runaway Bay, St. Ann.
JaBA President Paulton Gordon welcomed Vassell’s commitment, describing it as a major step toward reconnecting diaspora players with their roots.
“We’re elated. It aligns perfectly with our goal to ensure that every player with Jamaican heritage has a clear path to represent the country,” Gordon said.
While Gordon acknowledged the abundance of homegrown talent, he emphasized that nearly half of Jamaica’s basketball potential lies overseas. He said JaBA is actively working to merge diaspora resources—players and coaches alike—with local programs to elevate the national setup.
Still, challenges remain. Under current FIBA regulations, players must acquire their passport before the age of 16 to represent a country without restriction. Although three NBA players already meet this requirement, Gordon noted that others are in the process of securing Jamaican citizenship.
“There’s a window for appeal through FIBA, based on a player’s connection to the country,” Gordon explained. “We’re working that avenue to bring more elite players on board.”
Gordon expressed confidence that these efforts will lay the groundwork for a powerful Jamaican national team capable of competing in the FIBA Americas, World Cup qualifiers, and even the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Among those eligible to represent Jamaica through paternal lineage are Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes and Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart. Norman Powell (Los Angeles Clippers) and Josh Minott (Minnesota Timberwolves) have already committed and are expected to suit up for the FIBA World Cup Americas Pre-Qualifiers in August. Twin brothers Amen and Ausar Thompson, of the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons respectively, have also shown interest and have already acquired Jamaican passports.
