SPORTS
SECTION E
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025
Ayton to sign with any NBA team he chooses
Deandre takes a shot at free agency
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
With the National Basketball Association’s negotiations for the 2025 free agency open, Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton has decided to exercise his options with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton, the second Bahamian to be drafted as the number one pick and the second to play for the Trail Blazers, joined the free agent market, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania late Sunday night.
According to Charania, the Trail Blazers and Ayton
have finalised a contract buyout heading into free agency, although Ayton still has one year left on his four-year, $132.9 million contract and would’ve earned $35.6 million next season.
“Sudden addition to the free-agent market. This gives Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who went to the NBA Finals with the Suns, the chance to receive a fresh opportunity as the Trail Blazers build around their depth of young centres,” Charania wrote.
While negotiations with free agents have begun, no deals can be formally signed until the moratorium period ends on July 6.
The NBA free agency will officially begin on July 6 at 12pm.
The 26-year-old Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists during the past season, but the Trail Blazers finished 12th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 win-loss record.
It was the second consecutive year in Portland that Ayton and the Trail Blazers have missed making the playoffs.
But to his credit, Ayton missed a few games due to injuries.
In the 95 games he played, he averaged 16.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Bayshore Sports Consultancy puts together free flag football clinic for over 50 children
By Jonathan Burrows
BAYSHORE Sports Consultancy, a newly launched Bahamian-based sports consulting agency, made a strong debut this past Sunday by hosting a free flag football clinic for more than 50 kids at the St. Augustine’s College campus field.
The event brought together aspiring young athletes, experienced coaches and local parents in a vibrant display of community-driven sports development.
The clinic drew more than 50 boys and girls aged seven to 16 years, who were put through drills focused not only on the fundamentals of flag football but also on teamwork and discipline.
The event wasn’t just flag football – it was about opportunity, mentorship and building new avenues for sports success in The Bahamas. Before the start of the clinic, a press conference was held in SAC’s audio and visual room where Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg expressed his support for Bayshore’s initiative.
PARTICIPANTS at the free flag
“Understanding the exposure that is needed and the guidance that is needed for our athletes in the various sports throughout the country is very important,” Bowleg said. “I’m looking forward to partnership with them in many more sporting events to ensure we cover the whole man and woman as it relates to sports here in the country,” Bowleg also added.
Bowleg thanked the flag
experience in the elite sport. Shipman actively participated in coaching throughout the day, offering hands-on tips to young, aspiring players and encouraging them to work hard on and off the field. At the press conference, Bayshore Sports Consultancy proudly announced Shipman as one of the
and with
brought a wealth of
Selected as the No.1 pick out of Arizona in the 2018 Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton was traded by the Suns to the Trail Blazers in 2023 for Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson, in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Suns also moved Toumani Camara, a 2029 first-round draft pick in the package.
In the two years that Ayton has been with the Trail Blazers, he hasn’t been part of the playoffs.
In addition, Charania reported that Ayton is a fresh addition to the free agent market. His postseason experience with the
Suns could allow him to become part of a contending team.
And NBA insider Bobby Marks said that as a free agent, Ayton is free to sign with any team this summer. “Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+,” Marks wrote.
“The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season.”
Could he possibly end up in Los Angeles where the Lakers have been searching for a centre, or could he join newly acquired Bimini native Valdez “VJ”
SEE PAGE E3
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
IN preparation for the hosting of the Caribbean Volleyball Championships 2025, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation hosted a Volleyball Station seminar over the weekend at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The practical and theory sessions were conducted by instructor Manuel Celderon from Mexico. The sessions also included friendly matches for players trying
out for both the men and women national teams. Also in attendance was Mushtaque Mohammed, the president of CAZOVA, who came for a site inspection before the start of the tournament from August 15-23 with nine men and eight women teams participating. Kirk Farquharson, who coordinated the sessions, said there were about 16 persons who completed the Volleyball Station and
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
CAMP
THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8. The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
July
SUMMER FEST
TOURNEY
THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma.
The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and
SEE PAGE E2
Photo: Jonathan Burrows
FREE AGENT: The Portland Trail Blazers organisation has announced it has bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton — making him able to sign with any team he chooses. SEE THE FULL STORY
Bayshore Sports Consultancy hosts
free flag football clinic for more than 50 children
FROM PAGE E1
newest board members.
“We are trying to bridge the gap between American flag football and Bahamian flag football by helping with this introductory clinic to allow the kids of The Bahamas to learn the rules and parameters of flag football,” Shipman said to the media. “Most importantly we want the kids to have fun so that they keep coming back for them to get more opportunities especially since flag football has
SPORTS CALENDAR
FROM PAGE E1
Rubis, will feature a men’s 2-on-2 and women’s 3-on-3 format. Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded for the winners and $500 for the runners-up in both divisions. Interested teams are urged to call 422-4550 or 801-3131 for more details.
MILLER’S FUNERAL
THE funeral service for the late Harry Wenzel
become an Olympic sport,” he also added.
Bayshore Sports Consultancy, though new on the scene, is already establishing itself as a key player in sports development and representation in The Bahamas, with more clinics and athletic support programmes planned throughout the year. With a powerful blend of local leadership and international experience, the agency is setting out to reshape the landscape of Bahamian youth athletics.
Miller, a former outstanding softball player, is all set to take place at 11am Saturday, July 5 at St Michael’s Methodist Church on Churchill Avenue. His interment will follow at the Western Cemetery. Miller, married to Moria Sweeting-Miller, is the father of Theresa MillerTynes, a former outstanding female softball player. His other children are Pamela Miller, Patrice Miller-King, Monique Sweeting-Miller, Jennifer Ferguson-Miller, Ashley Miller-King and Roberto Miller.
PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY
NIGHT
PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence.
The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” is slated to be held from July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July
20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up.
VOLLEYBALL
BBSF TOURNAMENT
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is slated to hold a meeting 5pm Saturday at its office at the Bahamas Baptist College for all churches interested
in participating in its co-ed volleyball tournament. The tournament will take place from July 18-19 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. The registration fee is $200 per team for a roster of 12 players, which includes a mixture of men and women.
GOLF CHALLENGE THE Strikers’ Three Club Challenge is slated to be held from July 11-13 at the Bahamas Golf Federation Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a shotgun start at noon each
AND TE SMITH TO STEELERS FOR FITZPATRICK
By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are sending All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Ramsey announced the trade yesterday in a post on his X account. Both his representation and the Dolphins, where he spent the past two seasons, had mutually agreed earlier this year to part ways.
Neither Ramsey nor the Dolphins gave any insight into what went wrong.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said in April that Ramsey did not ask for a trade or more money, but after weeks of conversations with Ramsey’s representation, both sides agreed that it would be best to move on. Fitzpatrick returns to the team that drafted him 11th overall in 2018. He had been displeased with his role in Miami and requested a trade before being sent to the Steelers in 2019.
The terms have been agreed upon and are pending physicals. The swap of Ramsey and Fitzpatrick,
SEE PAGE E7
day. The 18-holes event will be played in three different divisions with $2,500 in cash prizes for first, second and third-place finishes as well as the closest to the pin finisher. Registration is required. For more information, persons can contact Swanno at 242-376-0811. The registration fee is $150 per person, which includes the green fees for two days, plus food and drinks.
BOXING
FUNDRAISER
THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15. Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said. The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3. The team is expected to depart July 31 and would remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team. They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships. SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive. Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day. Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.
FREE CAMP: Participants enjoy the free flag football clinic hosted for more than 50 kids at the St. Augustine’s College campus field on Sunday.
Photos: Jonathan Burrows
After 4th place last year, Team Bahamas on par to win Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships this week in Barbados
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER a fourth-place
finish last year in Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas Golf Federation members believe they have assembled a team that could win the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships this week in Barbados.
Following the BGF’s National Amateur Golf Championships over the weekend, a 10-member team departed The Bahamas yesterday and is scheduled to begin
competition on Wednesday through Friday. National champions Lynford Miller and Maddison Carroll and runners-up Richard Gibson Jr and Haley Hall will head the team that will be coached by Richard Gibson Sr.
The other members on the men’s side are Nolan Johnson, Alex Dupuch and Alexander Roland and on the women’s side are Marinda Tucker and Chamari Pratt.
Miller, the first president to win the national title, said the team is much
stronger than last year, so he’s confident that they have the ability to win the title.
“We’re working and the results are showing,” said Miller, who noted that the players should be well rested after competing in the nationals over the past three days at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island, Royal Blue at Baha Mar and the Lyford Cay Golf Club.
Gibson Jr, who has participated on the team over the past 15 years, said he likes the makeup of the team. “I think if the president can
go down there and out with the kind of performance he did at the nationals, we stand a chance,” Gibson Jr explained.
“If he can have one good round, the rest of us will do what we have to do and so I think that would give us a very good chance to bring it home this year.”
As the 14-year-old national champion, Carroll said she’s excited to be leading the way for the ladies.
“It’s an honour to be on the team for the second time in a row,” she said.
“It’s an honour to represent my country at different
golf courses. So I’m really looking forward to it.”
Hall, also back for her second trip, said she’s confident that they will return with the team trophy.
“We are going to have fun. We have a pretty strong team this year,” added Hall, a 14-year-old student of Nassau Christian Academy. “We have some new people, but we feel good about this team. We feel we can win the title.”
Dupuch, a member of several junior national teams since he was 16, said he’s excited to make his debut at the senior level
with some of the top golfers in the country. “It’s always good when you can make a national team because it proves that you’re one of the best in your country,” Dupuch said. “So it’s always a good feeling to make it. So I’m excited.” Coming off what he described as a “not so good” performance at the nationals, Dupuch said if he can pull it all together, he can be a force to reckon with for Team Bahamas in Barbados.
The team is scheduled to return home on Saturday, hopefully as the champions.
Dwight Tinker bags his first
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
OUTSIDE of winning a title, the next greatest accomplishment a golfer looks forward to achieving is a Hole-In-One shot.
For Dwight Tinker, he may have succeeded in winning the Bahamas Golf Federation’s 2025 National Amatuer Golf Championship title, but he left the Lyford Cay Golf Club with his prestigious Hole-In-One.
It came on Sunday on the final day of competition on the 11th hole.
Having played the sport for the past 10-12 years, Tinker said he was overwhelmed with joy and satisfaction when he was told that he bagged the shot.
“I’ve had so many close holes in one, one-inch, twoinches, even three-inches
DEANDRE AYTON TAKES A SHOT AT FREE AGENCY
FROM PAGE E1
Edgecombe Jr in Philadelphia after the 76ers acquired him with the third pick in the NBA Draft last Wednesday? Ayton and Edgecombe, along with Chavano
‘Buddy’ Hield of the Golden State Warriors and veteran guard Eric Gordon were on The Bahamas men’s national team that fell short in the final of the qualifying tournament to Spain in Valencia last July for a trip to the Olympic Games in Paris, France. Gordon may not be around for the Sixers as he too has opted out of his contract and has become a free agent. It could be a long summer or a short one for Ayton, depending on how soon he can get a contract offer from a new team. If it is the Lakers, he would be the
third Bahamian to play in Los Angeles. Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson, the first foreign born No.1 draft pick by Portland in 1978, played with the Lakers and won back-to-back titles in 1987-88.
And Rick Fox, who was drafted as the 24th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft in 1991, won three titles with the Lakers from 2000-2002.
from the hole, but this one went in this time, which was a blessing,” Tinker said. Shooting the shot from about 150-feet from the hole, Tinker attacked it with a nine-iron and it went soaring in the air.
“When I heard the guys screaming that it was a hole-in-one, I said I didn’t believe it. Let’s go up there and check it.
“Low and behold, I walked up the hole and the ball was in it with the DT (Dwight Tinker) on it.”
Playing in the foursome of Ian Howard, Jake and Jami Thompson, Tinker
When it landed, Tinker said he knew it was something special, but he didn’t realise it until he heard the screaming from the fellow golfers. “I was looking at it, trying to find out if it really went in,” Tinker said.
said he got a consolation of beating them out, which was gratifying since he didn’t clinch the national title.
“I’m going to cherish this,” said Tinker, who noted that he was going to the nearest webshop to purchase the number 11 in the hopes that he could win some money to go along with his triumph on the field.
DWIGHT Tinker celebrates his hole-in-one.
CARIBBEAN Amateur Golf Championships team, shown from left to right are, Lynford Miller, Haley Hall, Richard Gibson Jr, Maddison Carroll, Alex Dupuch, Chamari Pratt and Nolan Johnson.
2025 National Amateur Golf Championships rock Lyford Cay Golf Club
Here are the winners from the combined events at the Ocean Club/Royal Blue/Lyford Cay Properties
Female national champion - Maddison Carroll
Male national champion - Lynford Miller
Female Regular Division
Winner - Maddison Carroll -- 225 (+9). Runner-UpHailey Hall - 242 (+26).
Female Senior Division
Winner - Rosena Pratt - 319 (+103). Runner-UpKyshana Redelter - 329 (+113).
Male Regular Division
Winner - Richard Gibson Jr - 224 (+8). Runner-Up -
Camdyn Forbes - 224 (+8).
Male Mid-Amateur
Winner - Lynford Miller - 217 (+1). Runner-up -
Nolan Johnson - 228 (+12).
Male Senior Division
Winner - Neale Jones- 227 (+_11). Runner-Up - Mike Mcaleer - 230 (+14).
Male Super Senior Division
Winner - Broderick Pinder - 243 (+27). Runner-UpAnthony Hinsey - 253 (+37).
Male Legends Division
Winner - Ossie Moore - 253 (+37). Runner-Up - Huel Riley - 258m (+42).
Female closest to the pins
Royal Blue - Maddison Carroll; Ocean Club - Chemari Pratt; Lyford Cay - Chamari Pratt.
Male closests to the pins
Royal Blue - Michael Bassett; Ocean Club - Nolan Johnson; Lycord Cay - Thomas
Female longest drives
Royal Blue - Jenna Bayles; Ocean Club - Seanea Norville-Smith; Lyford Cay - Maddison Carroll.
Male longest drives
Royal Blue - Christopher Adderley; Ocean ClubRichard Gibson Jr; Lyford Cay - Richard Gibson Jr.
WHILE Maddison Carroll repeated as the female national champion, Lynford Miller became the first president of the Bahamas Golf Federation to win the male national title. The pair emerged on top of the
standings on Sunday as the BGF concluded its 2025 National Amateur Golf Championships at the Lyford Cay Golf Club. The event started at the Royal Blue Golf Club on Friday, Ocean Club on Paradise Island on Saturday and continued at the Royal Blue Golf Club on Saturday before the climax took place on Sunday. Shown here are the winners with their trophies.
Two-run home run!
‘Jazz’ hits 2-run homer but Blue Jays beat Yankees 5-4
By IAN HARRISON Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
broke a tie with a two-run single in the sixth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 5-4 last night.
Guerrero went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and Ernie Clement had two hits and scored twice as the Blue Jays won for the fourth time in five games.
Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr hit a two-run homer and Cody Bellinger added a solo shot for the Yankees, who squandered a 3-1 lead.
Toronto tied it on RBI singles by pinch-hitter Nathan Lukes and Clement in the sixth. Blue Jays
outfielder George Springer exited after crashing headfirst into Chisholm Jr’s right leg trying to advance to third base on Guerrero’s go-ahead hit off Jonathan Loáisiga.
An inning earlier, Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham was removed because of a tight left hamstring. He was replaced by Jasson Domínguez. Making his second start since returning from injury, Max Scherzer allowed two runs and three hits in five innings for Toronto. He struck out seven and walked none.
Brendon Little (4-1) got the win despite allowing
Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI single in the sixth. Bellinger cut it to 5-4 with a homer off Mason Fluharty in the eighth. Chad Green ended the inning and Jeff Hoffman finished for his 19th save in 23 chances.
Key moment
Yankees starter Carlos Rodón exited with a 3-1 lead after Davis Schneider doubled to begin the sixth. Mark Leiter Jr. (4-5) allowed hits to three of the four batters he faced before Loáisiga entered. Springer reached on catcher’s interference ahead of Guerrero’s pivotal hit.
Key stats Aaron Judge drew his 20th intentional walk in the eighth, leaving him three shy of the Yankees record set by Mickey Mantle in 1957. Chisholm Jr is batting .318 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 24 games since returning June 3 from a strained right oblique.
Up next Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (6-6, 4.21 ERA) faces Yankees LHP Max Fried (10-2, 1.92) in Tuesday’s Canada Day matinee.
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., centre, celebrates after his two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during fourth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, June 30, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)
referee and scoring course and passed, including eight of them who completed both.
“We used the seminar to get them to learn the new system on the computer and also on the scoresheet,” Celderon said. “It was great. They got to practice using both the scoresheet and the computer.
“They will be using this system in the tournament and after the tournament, this is the system they will be using in all of their tournaments.”
Celderon said he may not be back for the tournament, as he’s responsible for training sessions in other countries in the region. But he will continue to stay in
contact with the BVF as the tournament approaches to ensure that everything’s coming together.
Rose Munnings, one of the lead officials in the NPVA, said it was a very good experience because most of the participants were new to officiating and it was good for all of them to go through the scoring system together. “It’s been a struggle but we’re getting there,” she insisted. “It’s a learning process, but it’s a learning process for all, but it’s one that we’re all willing to take on.”
As the officials continue their preparation, both the men and women teams are making sure that they are ready to compete.
Men’s head coach Glen Rolle said they just have
to fine tune some things to ensure that they are ready.
“The athleticism is there, the willingness is there and the fundamentals is what they have to work on,” Rolle said.
“So we just have to do some fine tuning and we will be there.
“With more reps, come more experience and that is how you get better,” Rolle said.
“So it’s good that we get opportunities like these to play scrimmages in game situations.”
The team is expected to be led by three Bahamian professional volleyball players - Shomari Hepburn, Carl Wilson and Eugene Stuart, who are all playing in the European Volleyball League. “With any team
sport, it’s about consistency. The most consistent team always wins,” Rolle said.
“It ain’t about the one or two superstars. It’s how best your whole team can gel together and how best you can handle adversities when you come together as a team.”
Renaldo Knowles, the head coach for the women’s team, said he’s pleased with the personnel who are coming out to participate on the team, although there are still some key players missing.
“With the personnel that came out and some of the new players who are participating, we’re starting to gel as they learn the higher level of volleyball and it’s starting to come together,” he said.
Knowles said there are some players who are committed to trying out for the team, but were not available for the scrimmage because of work commitments or other obligations.
“We’re just going to keep working, keep practicing and try to learn and still be consistent,” he summed up.
Egianette Pierre, a 19-year-old freshman at Wichita State, said it was a good experience for her and she’s looking forward to improving on her return after playing on her first senior women’s national team.
“I feel like we have a lot of potential. We could do with a little more work, but it’s due to the process we’re going through,” said Pierre after Sunday’s scrimmage.
“Once we come together more often, I feel like we would be able to develop more chemistry together. I know I’m glad to be home and to be able to compete in a tournament like this.” Pierre said the first time she experienced “snow” in Wichita, Kansas, she wanted to return home because it was just too cold. She’s glad to be enjoying the sun again.
Bayshore Sports Consultancy - a new venture aiming to reshape the future of Bahamian sports
By Jonathan Burrows
WHAT started as a friendship forged through family connections, then turned into a 7am phone call with an idea, has now evolved into a bold new venture aiming to reshape the future of Bahamian sports.
Two longtime friends, both with deep roots in athletics, have come together to launch a new sports consultancy in The Bahamas called Bayshore Sports Consultancy, a firm dedicated to athlete development, representation and not only local but international exposure for a vast range of Bahamian athletic talent.
One half of the dynamic duo is Dwayne Davis Jr, a former competitive swimmer who represented The Bahamas internationally on numerous occasions. He has made strides as both an athlete and a coach within the swimming community.
Davis transitioned from the pool to leadership roles, first making waves as a personal swim coach and later rising to the position of head coach for the Bahamian national team in 2024. He led the swim team to a dominating victory at the Goodwill Swimming Championships in St. Lucia in 2024 and earlier tours, such as the championship victory in Jamaica in 2023, showcasing his dedication to developing elite aquatic talent. Davis is now serving as an assistant coach alongside the great Bahamian swimmer turned
legendary head coach, Travano McPhee, for the Mako Aquatics swim club.
Respected for his technical expertise and mentorship, Davis continues to shape future generations of Bahamian athletes through this joint initiative.
His business partner, who conceptualised the venture, Derron Donaldson, brings a different but equally vital skillset to the consultancy.
A former tennis player from Grand Bahama turned sports administrator, he first started the sport of tennis at just four years old. He then began coaching his sisters, and thus began his path toward sports administration.
In 2012, at only 23, Donaldson became the youngest president of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), and the following year he was elected as secretary-general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee - again the youngest to hold that position.
Donaldson continued to rise in both national and regional sports leadership. He served as Chef de Mission (person in charge of a national team at an international event) for Team Bahamas and was part of the executive board of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, lending his expertise to multiple international competitions. In addition to his administrative roles, he
has taken on pivotal positions in tennis coaching and development.
Most recently, he was appointed director of racquets at Baha Mar’s newly unveiled John McEnroe Tennis Centre, a testament to his reputation in both player development and high-level management.
The initiative has already caught the attention and support of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who praised the duo for creating a homegrown solution to long-standing challenges in the Bahamian sports landscape at a flag football press conference over the weekend at one of Bayshore’s free clinics that they held this past weekend.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Dwayne and Derron for having the vision to bring an organisation such as Bayshore forward,” Bowleg said during the press
conference. “Understanding that the exposure that is needed, (and) the guidance that is needed for our athletes in various sporting disciplines in the country is very important to get to the next level,” Bowleg added.
Adding even more muscle to the mission is the recent appointment of Rayford Shipman, a former NFL linebacker with the New Orleans Saints and a former basketball player at the University of Florida, as a board member. Shipman brings with him not only experience at the highest level of American football but also valuable connections and insights into sports development and sports consulting in the United States.
“There’s incredible talent in The Bahamas, and we are here to bridge that gap,” said Shipman to the media.
Together, Donaldson and Davis are combining
their strengths to create more than just a businessthey’re building a platform for the future of Bahamian sport.
“We are here to go in these meetings and represent these athletes,” said Donaldson to the press.
“We don’t want 100 per cent, we don’t want 50 per cent, but we are here to ensure the athlete is afforded another avenue of funding through our representation,” he also added.
The consultancy will offer athletes tailored, long and short-term strategic planning, local and international marketing and branding, and a long-range of sports management, just to name a few.
As they continue to expand their reach and impact, they are not only rewriting the playbook for athlete development in The Bahamas but also proving that when passion meets purpose, greatness follows.
both three-time All-Pros, marks the third time since at least 2002 that players who had previously been All-Pros were traded for each other, according to Sportradar. The others were star receiver DeAndre Hopkins (three All-Pros) for running back David Johnson (1) in 2020, and tight end Jimmy Graham (1) for centre Max Unger (1) in 2015.
Smith had one of the best years of his career in his lone season in Miami after signing a two-year deal as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season. The veteran tight end hoped that his career year might lead to a new contract with the Dolphins, with whom he preferred to stay. He had been away from the team during its offseason programme as he sought a new contract. Instead, he’s re-joining Arthur Smith, currently the offensive coordinator
in Pittsburgh, whom he was with in Tennessee and Atlanta.
Smith will get a one-year contract extension worth as much as $12 million for 2026, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed.
In the aftermath of the trade, former Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert responded to the news with apparent criticism of his former team. Mostert was cut in February by Miami after his least productive season with the team in 2024, one year after making the Pro Bowl with the Dolphins.
“Hot take: Be a Probowler on the Dolphins, get treated like (expletive),” Mostert wrote on X in response to the trades.
“Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!!”
It’s the latest in a series of retooling moves the Steelers have made this offseason in hopes that 2025 won’t end similarly as their past few seasons.
Pittsburgh has reached the playoffs four times in the last five seasons, only to be quickly eliminated in lopsided fashion each time.
Since March, the Steelers have acquired two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf from Seattle, signed four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and now they’ve added two more experienced veterans in Ramsey and Smith.
Trading Fitzpatrick, who emerged as one of the NFL’s premier safeties in his six seasons in Pittsburgh, likely could free up money for the Steelers to re-sign star linebacker TJ Watt, who is in the last year of his deal and skipped the offseason programme as he seeks a new contract.
For the Dolphins, losing Smith is a huge blow to their offence, which heavily relied on the tight end in the passing game as teams limited big plays from receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
BAYSHORE Sports Consultancy co-owner Dwayne Davis Jr, left, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. Photos: Jonathan Burrows
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SURPRISE ADDITION: There was even a surprise addition to free agency, with Portland announcing it has bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton — making him able to sign with any team he chooses.
NBA FREE AGENCY OPENS MONDAY, AFTER WAVES OF PLAYER MOVEMENT IN RECENT DAYS
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
TECHNICALLY, the NBA free agency period was scheduled to open at 6pm Eastern time yesterday.
In actuality, it has been rolling along.
LeBron James has already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for this coming season, the Houston Rockets have traded for Kevin Durant — not a free agency move, obviously — and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
There was even a surprise addition to free agency, with Portland announcing it has bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton — making him able to sign with any team he chooses.
And yesterday, more deals: Nicolas Batum will come back to the Clippers, his agency said, on a twoyear deal, while Joe Ingles agreed to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Deals like those could get done before the 6pm Monday official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.
What’s already happened — Julius Randle returns to Timberwolves — Bobby Portis staying with Bucks — Duncan Robinson terminates contract with Heat, may return — Kyrie Irving staying with Mavericks
What’s next In very specific situations, teams can announce signings when completed. But in most situations, and this even applies to some draftrelated trades (such as the one involving Durant going to Houston), teams won’t be able to announce those until the start of the new league year on July 6.
LEBRON JAMES KYRIE IRVING
JAMES HARDEN KEVIN DURANT