Team Antigua and Barbuda gear up for NBA Jumpstart Clinic

The six-member contingent that will represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Digicel NBA Elite camp in Trinidad and Tobago was geared up and ready to go on Friday.
Shamar Joseph, Jevonte Valerie, Jabari Williams, Nia Coates, Jahliesia Knowles and Barbuda’s Jamie Charles were the six out of seven basketballers chosen at the Digicel NBA Jumpstart Clinic in April to embark on a chance to showcase their skill and match-up regionally with other players in the hopes of being selected for the final leg of the program, an unforgettable NBA experience.
Anthony Greer Jr. is the only Antiguan to have previously been selected for the final leg.
The contingent that left last Friday was confident and in high hopes that they could be one of the 14 chosen (eight boys, six girls) to make it all the way.
“I am excited to be chosen as one of the first females from this country to be chosen. I am going to do my best and just learn as much as I can from the NBA coaches,” said Knowles.
Charles, who is the first Barbudan to be selected, also spoke with OBSERVER media about being chosen.
“When I heard my name called back in April I felt really great. I am the first from Barbuda to be chosen so that’s a big thing, and I am just happy about that and hope I can make them even more proud of me.”
Jamal Henry, Digicel’s Marketing Executive, praised the program for the opportunities it presents to youths and also spoke confidently of the chances of the basketballers in Trinidad.
“It’s been an amazing initiative, and of course, it would not have been possible without the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association. The program has grown in the number of participants we have and the increase of talent; each year it gets better and better.
“I don’t want to brag, but I do think that we have a few selectees here that will move on to the NBA’s experience.”
Team Antigua and Barbuda will compete against players from Turks and Caicos, Barbados, Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago.