The Basketball Classic, a workshop for everyone in Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY (Jamaica) – The third edition of the Jamaica Basketball Classic has given a unique opportunity to the local basketball federation to experiment with the necessary logistics to build an event of this size, and for their young players to experience first-hand the game level they can reach if they work hard.

Some of the best collegiate teams in the first division of the NCAA attended the Montego Bay Conventions Center to finetune their strategies in the first games of the season. The universities of Eastern Michigan, Louisiana State, Rhode Island, Nicholls State, North Texas, Utah State, UMBC and North Carolina A&T attended the three days of the tournament.

“[This competition] is very important for us because it’s an opportunity for the association and the basketball community to understand how tournaments of this nature are organized and the professional part that's required for them to happen,” said Basketball Jamaica president, Paulton Gordon, to FIBA.basketball. “This year we hosted some interns from the university to support us so that they could witness what happens behind an operation like this, and they’ll study some of the organizers’ days.”

The tournament also featured two activities directed toward the development of the sport in Jamaica. Players Connect is a clinic offered by the players participating in the tournament for the children in the region. Around 100 boys and girls enjoyed last Saturday’s activities. This year, coaches from the region were also included in the festivities of the first Coaches Connect, where some 15 local coaches were trained by coaches and assistants that went to the island for the competition.

President Gordon also explained how to have some of the best players in North America playing in front of their young prospects can give them the inspiration needed to elevate their level and reach their goals through basketball.

“We want them to see the game level and all the framework for the event,” said Gordon. “Like this, when they're involved in youth tournaments, they can aspire to a different level and be a part of our college exchange program in the future. We were able to distribute more than 1,000 tickets to schools, some of the region and others in Kingston, and a lot of them were exposed to this level and are very grateful for the opportunity. We're very happy with what we've done up until now and we want to build upon what we've done this year.”

The organizers are currently on the first talks to establish a women’s tournament in the near future.

FIBA