Urban Knights Take Game 1 in Intense Finals Rematch
In a thrilling 2025 NBL Finals rematch, defending champions Urban Knights edged the Upper Room Eagles 61-57 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. The Eagles soared early, leading 19-13 after the first and maintaining a narrow 34-31 halftime advantage. But mounting turnovers and fading offensive execution gave the Knights a lifeline. Though the Knights weren’t firing on all offensive cylinders, their gritty defense held strong, keeping the score close heading into the fourth, trailing just 46-47. The final quarter saw multiple lead changes, but clutch plays and sharper decision-making helped the Knights seal the win. Alex Levy (19 pts, 11 rebs) and Ramone Spence (16 pts, 11 rebs) were outstanding, but the night belonged to Nicholai Brown, whose 12 points, 20 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks anchored the win. Game 2 tips off June 1 at 7:45 PM, after the 3rd place matchup between Slayers and Rebels at 6:15 PM, both at National Stadium Courts. 🏀🔥
Eagles Outlast Rebels to Book Finals Spot
The Upper Room Eagles powered their way into the 2025 NBL Finals, edging the UWI Runnin’ Rebels 60-51 in a gritty semifinal clash that demanded all 40 minutes. After the Rebels opened with a fiery 15-6 run, the Eagles stormed back with a 23-12 second-quarter response, taking a narrow 29-27 halftime lead. With a balanced scoring attack, the Eagles outpaced the Rebels 31-24 in the second half to seal the win. Lebron Lewison led with 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Anthony “Flimo” White contributed a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double. Derjean Royal added 11 points and 5 boards. Though the Rebels’ season ends here, Omari Green (11 pts, 15 rebs) and Tommy McDonald (10 pts, 8 rebs) fought valiantly to keep hopes alive.The Eagles now gear up for a finals showdown with the defending champs, Urban Knights. 🏀🔥
NBA Standout Devin Vassell to Host Youth Basketball Clinic in Jamaica
Rising NBA talent Devin Vassell of the San Antonio Spurs is set to visit Jamaica on Monday, June 30, where he will lead a special basketball clinic at Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay. The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., will welcome 30 top high school players from across western Jamaica. Vassell, whose father hails from Jamaica, will be accompanied by his parents and extended family, making the trip a homecoming of personal significance. During the two-hour session, the Spurs shooting guard will donate basketball gear and equipment to both the athletes and their schools. He’ll also spend time speaking with the young players—sharing his experiences in the NBA and offering real-world advice on what it takes to reach the professional level. Paulton Gordon, President of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA), noted that Vassell’s visit is part of a larger initiative to connect professional players of Jamaican heritage with the local basketball landscape.“This visit is a key part of our broader effort to link NBA players back to their Jamaican roots,” Gordon said. “We’re working to strengthen basketball both at the grassroots level and among elite athletes, and having role models like Devin involved is invaluable.” Gordon emphasized that players like Vassell are genuinely eager to give back and inspire the next generation of Jamaican talent.“They’re not just open to supporting youth development—they’re passionate about it. Just speaking to young players, sharing their journey, and motivating them goes a long way. We’re thrilled to have Devin with us and intend to make the most of this opportunity.” Coming off a stellar 2024–25 season where he averaged a career-high 16.3 points per game, Vassell joins a growing list of NBA players with Jamaican heritage who are committed to nurturing the sport in the region. His visit follows similar outreach by other professionals, including Amen and Ausar Thompson, who earlier this year began the process of obtaining Jamaican citizenship.
Urban Knights: Built for the Big Stage
The Urban Knights are right where they belong—back in the NBL Finals, chasing their seventh title and proving that championship grit runs deep. Despite a shaky first round with two early losses, they flipped the script, going unbeaten in the second round and sweeping their way through the playoffs. Now, they’re poised for a Finals rematch with the Upper Room Eagles, the very team they outclassed in a 3-game sweep last season. Pedigree. Poise. Purpose. The Knights aren’t just defending a title—they’re building a legacy.
Lady Celtics Complete Fairytale Run, Crowned 2025 WNBL Champions in Overtime Thriller
From 1-5 in the early rounds to WNBL champions, the Lady Celtics have authored one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history. In a heart-stopping Game 3 finale, they edged out the Lady Eagles 63-61 in overtime, sealing a championship that once seemed out of reach. The Eagles held a narrow 15-14 lead after the first quarter, but turnovers and missed chances allowed the Celtics to seize momentum, surging ahead 36-25 by halftime. With a game plan built on perimeter shooting and fast-break conversions, the Celtics extended their lead to 50-41 by the end of the third.The final minutes were pure drama. The Eagles clawed back, cutting the deficit to 56-55, and after a late-game injury and missed free throws by the Celtics, they tied it at 59 with under 20 seconds left. A contested Celtics shot at the buzzer rimmed out, sending the game into overtime.Exhausted but undeterred, the Celtics dug deep. Finals MVP Peatri-Ann Buchanan led the charge with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 7 steals. She was flanked by Dhanyel Johnson, who delivered a clutch 18-point, 14-rebound, 4-block performance, and Kalia Livingston, who added 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals. Despite a heroic 31-point, 7-steal effort from Carissa Robinson, and solid support from Shaday Gordon with 14 points and 7 rebounds, the Eagles fell just short. The Lady Celtics’ journey from last place to league champions is not just a Cinderella story it’s a legacy in the making. 🏆✨
Kofi Cockburn Eyes Return for FIBA Pre-Qualifiers
Jamaican basketball standout Kofi Cockburn says he’s energized by the growing momentum surrounding the national program and is currently in talks with the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) about a potential return to the senior men’s team for the FIBA 2027 World Cup pre-qualifiers this August. The seven-foot center, who plays professionally in Japan for the Hiroshima Dragonflies, was a featured guest at JaBA’s recent mixer held at the AC Hotel in Kingston. The event brought together players, coaches, and key stakeholders—including JaBA Ambassador Cedella Marley—to build excitement and support ahead of Jamaica’s next international campaign, set to take place in either Mexico or Chile. “I feel great,” said Cockburn. “It’s always special to get support from Jamaicans—especially when it comes to basketball. My journey was different. I didn’t play much growing up in Jamaica, but I made something of it. To come back and feel this kind of love is really motivating.”Cockburn, who previously suited up for the Seoul Samsung Thunders in South Korea, confirmed that while he’s eager to represent Jamaica, his availability will depend on scheduling discussions with his current club.“There are still some decisions to be made, and we’re in talks with JaBA,” he explained. “But I’m feeling positive. It’s just about taking the right steps. I think we have a real shot with the talent we’ve got.” Should he join the squad, Cockburn could form a formidable frontcourt alongside NBA players Josh Minott and Norman Powell, as well as Romaro Gill, who plays professionally in Spain. The addition of such high-level talent would significantly strengthen Jamaica’s push to qualify for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Now one of the most recognizable Jamaican players abroad, Cockburn says his journey is rooted in resilience—and he hopes it inspires the next generation. “I know I’ve made an impression on kids, and I want that to continue. I want them to see that they can play basketball, go overseas, and achieve great things. That’s what this is all about.” With national pride rising and conversations progressing, Cockburn’s potential return could mark a pivotal moment in Jamaica’s basketball resurgence on the global stage.