Bahamas equestrians bring home bronze
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
After ending the first day of competition in sixth place, Team Bahamas’ four-member equestrian team rallied to secure another bronze medal at the World Clubs Tournament in LamotteBeuvron, France, yesterday.
Team Bahamas, with Heidi Mello as the chef de mission, included Marlo Pinder riding Crabbswood Sebastian, Sienna Jones riding Gngadget de Peley, Alana Pyfrom riding Rapido du Bosquet and Connor Watkins riding
Santiago DW. The coach is Rai Burch.
The World Clubs Tournament is a part of the Generali Open de France competition and is considered to be one of the biggest equestrian events in the world.
And although they anticipated finishing higher on the podium, Bahamas Equestrian president Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre said they were pleased with their placing behind gold medal winners Venezuela and silver medallists Italy.
“Our athletes’ performances speaks to the continuing development of the equestrian sport in The Bahamas,’ said RamsinghPierre who didn’t attend, but watched as Watkins, Pyfrom, Jones and Pinder competed in that order.
JASRADO ‘JAZZ’ CHISHOLM JR HITS ANOTHER HOME RUN
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“This year’s team was composed of younger, relatively less experienced riders. “However, their diligent training in preparation for the event paid off,” she added.
Ramsingh-Pierre admitted that things didn’t go as smoothly as they had hoped on day one, but the team members never lost their focus and determination. She noted that on day two, they fought through every round and, at the end of the day, they were rewarded with their podium stance.
Without the efforts of coach Burch and Mello, the chef de mission, Ramsingh-Pierre noted that Team Bahamas would not have been able to perform as well as they did against their notable opponents from Venezuela and Italy.
Mello expressed her gratitude to the members of the team. “I’m very proud of Team Bahamas. We had our ups and our downs,” she said. “They worked extremely hard as a team and we succeeded with the bronze medal. We can’t ask for more from the kids. Well done kids.”
As for Burch, he was just pleased to see how well they kept their composure after a slow start to the competition on Monday.
“It was a tough first day, but we managed to pull it together for the second day and they managed to pull it off after a good long sleep,” he said.
“They were able to keep the focus on the second day to finish third.”
For the team’s quartet, it was just simply a matter of taking care of business when they needed to.
“I am very thankful and happy and proud of the team for our progress and
Jonquel scores 18 points in return from injury as Liberty beat Fever 98-84
By ALYCE BROWN AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Jonquel Jones scored 18 points in her return from an ankle injury, and the New York Liberty beat the Indiana Fever 98-84 last night.
Breanna Stewart and Leonie Fiebich each scored 17, Sabrina Ionescu had 13 points and nine assists, and Isabelle Harrison also had 13 points to help the Liberty (15-6) beat the Fever for the second straight time. New York beat Indiana 98-77 last Wednesday in their last game before the All-Star break.
Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points to lead the Fever (12-11), which again played without Caitlin Clark (groin injury).
New York struggled in the first half with Ionescu and Stewart scoring three points and six points, respectively — an anomaly for the duo that averages 18 and 19 points per game.
Ionescu was held scoreless in the second and third quarters, spending most of the third on the bench.
The Fever led 46-42 at halftime, capitalising on Liberty turnovers to grab
performance in this meet,” said Watkins, a 17-year-old student of Queen’s College. Jones, a 15-year-old attending Culver Academy in Indiana, stated that she’s also “very happy with our performance and our team work. We are thankful to everybody who contributed to the team’s success.
Pinder, a 12-year-old student of King’s College, took it a bit further, adding that she was just “thankful that my horse was really good
and I’m just really glad to be here.”
And Pyfrom, a 14-yearalso attending King’s College, wrapped it up by saying that she was “really excited and happy with our results. I think everyone rode to the best of their abilities” and she thanked all of the members of Team Bahamas who supported them behind the scenes. Team Bahamas is expected to return home today.
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT ALL SET FOR AUGUST 4
By Jonathan Burrows
A MOVING and purposeful press conference was held yesterday morning at the Fusion Superplex to officially launch the fundraising efforts surrounding the 2nd annual Charity Golf Tournament, hosted by the Pi Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The event, set for Monday, August 4, at the Royal Blue Golf Course, aims to raise funds which are 100 per cent in support of Sean Blyden’s medical
expenses as he awaits a critical heart transplant.
The press conference brought together key sponsors, fraternity brothers, media representatives and supporters to highlight the life-saving mission at hand.
Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, who served as both the event organiser and moderator, opened the morning with remarks about the importance of unity and community service, setting a passionate tone for the
THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is offering emergency assistance to athletes needing assistance with travel and/ or accommodations for the upcoming Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Senior Nationals, scheduled
for August 1-2. Interested athletes are urged to contact Laura PrattCharlton for more information and to apply for support. The email contact is dcbarrierbreakers@gmail.com and the phone contact is 357-3109.
WINSTON MARSHALL PLANS have been revealed for the
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BRONZE BRILLIANCE: Team Bahamas members displaying their equestrian awards.
2ND ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT ALL SET FOR BAHA MAR’S ROYAL BLUE GOLF COURSE
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occasion. Among the event sponsors present were title sponsors Rodney D. Banks Jr, communications manager at the Insurance Commission of the Bahamas, who spoke on the role of corporate responsibility in supporting brothers in need, and Jamero Clarke, project lead at Global Sun, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the cause.
Other sponsors present were Kevin Hudson, president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the brotherhood to which Sean Blyden himself belongs, and Anthony Coakley, who is the marketing manager at Asure Win Gaming.
Representing the host venue, Anastasia Carter, director of sales and marketing at Fusion Superplex, expressed pride in being a part of such a meaningful initiative.
One of the most emotional moments of the morning came during a heartfelt speech from Antonice Blyden, wife of Sean Blyden. As she bore her emotions with quiet dignity, Blyden shared the challenges of their journey since Sean’s diagnosis and the faith that has kept them going.
“I am truly amazed by how we came from such a dark place in April, a time when we were not sure about anything except our faith in God, and it would be him who would get us through.
“After all the stomachturning moments, the hearts racing, and the screaming, I now stand strong, confident, and joyful because God’s grace is not just a saying, it is an environment and a place where Sean and I now dwell,” she said to the media.
“Sean would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the brothers of Omega Psi Phi fraternity who have gone above and beyond not only financially but with their full support in every fundraising effort along the way. We would also like to specially thank Gina Rolle for her vision and her time, and dedication for coordinating this golf tournament,” she added.
While the charity golf tournament on August 4 will be the main fundraising event, the fraternity
encouraged the public to contribute in any way they can. Donation information can be found on the Omega
media pages, where full payment details are available.
With corporate and community backing at the forefront, the fraternity hopes consistent support,
SPORTS CALENDAR
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memorial and funeral service for the late Winston Marshall. A wake is scheduled for 7pm Friday, July 25 at #32 Thompson & Trinity Lane, Stapledon Gardens. The funeral service will be held 10am on Saturday, July 26 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley and Church Streets.
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
of
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 RAFFLE GRILL FUN DAY
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.
VOLLEYBALL CORRECTION
IT was incorrectly stated in Monday’s edition of The Tribune that the Alpha Kappa Alpha won the men’s title of the “Get Your Spike On” Volleyball Tournament at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity actually won the tournament and not the Alpha Kappa Alpha. It was also stated that all of the sororities attended, as quoted by Jayde Knowlesone of the organisers - but it was all of the fraternities who did.
The Tribune apologises for the errors.
Psi Phi fraternity’s official social
whether financial or moral, can help ease the weight
an already difficult road ahead.
A PRESS conference was held yesterday morning at Fusion Superplex to officially launch the fundraising efforts surrounding the 2nd annual Charity Golf Tournament, set for Monday, August 4, at the Baha Mar’s Royal Blue Golf Course.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
‘Kino’ Burrows extends his Raw Talent Sports programme
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
WITH his goal of getting as many young players off to college or to play professional basketball, Jaraun “Kino” Burrows has extended his locallybased Raw Talent Sports programme.
The programme, started six years ago, was to afford those players coming home an avenue to stay sharp and focused during the summer break as they got to compete in a number of local tournaments, including the ‘Peace on da Street’ and the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder.
Burrows, who spent the past 20 years playing in Europe, has now branched out to become a sports agency where they get to promote and secure deals for about 15 players who are currently overseas, including Leonardo “Nardo” Bridgewater and Kenny Isnord.
“The work continues and now we’re back home in the local presence, doing a lot of scouting all over The Bahamas,’ Burrows said. “While we are doing that, we are having the open skills development programme.
“I am looking to take another 4-5 kids off next year, so I’m looking for talented, hungry kids, who are self-motivated. I made a promise to come here and be someone they can call for whatever reason.”
For the first time this year, Burrows said they have decided to include the girls in the programme and he’s appreciative of persons like coaches Anthony Swaby, Donnie Culmer and Anastacia Moultrie.
According to Burrows, the 8-10 players coming out are just as eager to learn as their male counterparts.
Moultrie, a former multitalented player turned coach, is assisting the programme by providing some of the female players, but she is also introducing some males as well who she says deserve a chance to compete.
“My role is to make sure that the kids are still passionate about basketball, especially the females,” she said. “It’s been going very well. They have been coming out. They just need a place or a venue that they can call home with consistency to play freely.”
One of those players, Vincinique Dames, an 18-year-old 2024 graduate of RM Bailey Secondary High School, said she was appreciative when she was approached to join the programme.
She noted that it has afforded her the opportunity to stay focused on basketball until she heads off to school, hopefully in August, if she gets her visa sorted out in time.
HIS GOAL: GETTING AS MANY YOUNG PLAYERS OFF TO COLLEGE OR TO PLAY PRO BASKETBALL
“It feels good. I like it so I just keep on coming,” she said. “My handles are getting better because we are doing a lot of those drills first thing in the morning, so it’s working for me.”
Burrows said one of the important aspects of the programme is the fact that they can provide an avenue in the gym for the players to enhance their skills, something that he didn’t have growing up when they had to play on the outdoor courts.
He said he continues to support the ‘Peace on da Street’ Tournament that concluded on Sunday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium where their Raw Talent Sports team won the Under-16 and Under-20 divisions for the first time this year.
“I support the programme because I believe in what Carlos Reid is doing and Michael “Scooter” Reid, his brother, played an instrumental role in my life growing up on the Yellow Elder basketball court.
Before they disperse at the end of the summer programme, Burrows said Raw Talent Sports will get another opportunity in August to display their skills in two games against visiting college teams, including Murray State, which features Bahamian Frederick King, who just transferred from Creighton University.
“We will start practicing now with my under-23 team and put together a mixture of pro players, college players and elite high school players and try to put on another good show,” Burrows said.
“A lot of these players won’t get the opportunity to play at this level, so it’s very good that they get to feel the division one level right here at home in the event that they do get the opportunity to get off to accomplish their goals.”
At the age of 40, Burrows said he had decided to retire from playing about five years ago, but every year, despite the back
and leg injuries, he’s been encouraged to come back and play another year.
While he was returning to France to watch Bridgewater and Isnord this year, Burrows said he got an invitation to play for a team that was short of a player. He couldn’t refuse the offer and ended up playing another season.
“I’m not going to retire again. When I’m done, I’m just going to sail into the
sunset. But I just got a call from LJ Rose, the manager of the men’s national team, who asked me to play in this next window for The Bahamas in August.
“Everyone knows that I’m the number one hacker on the team, so it’s all about the youth and the country. It’s been 20 years that I have been playing for the national team and if they feel I can bring value to the team, I will play.”
Once the window is complete, Burrows said he will sit down with his family and make the right decision that is in their best interest as far as his future playing is concerned. But right now, the goal is to develop as many Raw Talent Sports players to continue the history of Bahamian players making their presence felt, not just in college but in the professional ranks.
PRO basketball player Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, far left, oversees his locally-based Raw Talent Sports programme. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
‘Jazz’ hits another home run
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm
9TH INNING, YANKEES BEAT BLUE JAYS 5-4
By IAN HARRISON Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Ben
Rice hit a tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr and Cody Bellinger also homered and the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 last night.
Rice connected off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman (6-3) for his 15th home run as the Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak against Toronto.
Ian Hamilton (2-1) got one out for the win and Devin Williams finished for his 15th save in 16 chances.
Addison Barger had two hits and George Springer reached base four times but Toronto’s franchise-record home winning streak ended at 11 games.
New York led 4-2 before a throwing error by Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe opened the door to a game-tying rally in the sixth.
The error was Volpe’s 13th, tying him for most in the majors.
It was his second error in two games.
Pinch hitter Myles Straw reached on Volpe’s error and scored when pinch hitter Davis Schneider doubled off left-hander Tim Hill.
Jonathan Loáisiga came on to face George Springer, who drove in Schneider with a game-tying single. Making his second career start, Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out three. Toronto’s Max Scherzer allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. New York jumped out to an early
a
lead when Chisholm Jr hit a three-run homer off Scherzer in the first, his 18th. Barger hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Bellinger’s one-out blast in the fifth, his 18th, made it 4-1. Key moment Rice hit a 389-foot homer on the first pitch he saw from Hoffman.
Key stat Cam Schlittler’s fastest pitch of the game was clocked at 99.5 mph, one of four he threw above 99 mph.
Up next Yankees
(11-3,
LHP Max Fried
2.43 ERA) is expected to start against Blue Jays’ Chris Bassitt in today’s series finale.
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) rounds the bases after hitting
three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
(Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press via AP)
Euro 2025: England breaks Italy’s hearts in extra time to advance to the final
By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer
GENEVA (AP) — England is living on the brink and survived another near-inevitable elimination all the way to another Women’s European Championship final.
The defending champion broke Italy’s hearts — twice — in a 2-1 win after extra time in their semifinal yesterday.
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive goal in the 119th minute, shooting home the rebound only after Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani saved her penalty kick.
Italy was forced into extra time because another substitute, Michelle Agyemang, levelled the game deep into stoppage time.
Kelly and Agyemang also were crucial for England in another great escape in the quarterfinals against Sweden.
It was all so cruel on unheralded Italy, which had led since Barbara Bonansea’s rasping volleyed shot in the 33rd minute.
England will now defend its title in Sunday’s final in Basel against either world champion Spain or Germany.
Their semifinal is today in Zurich.
Either option is a title rematch for England, having beaten Germany in the Euro 2022 final — also decided by a Kelly goal in extra time — and lost the
2023 World Cup final to Spain. England escapes For the second time in six days, England had stared down what looked a sure
exit and survived into extra time. Italy would have been a worthy winner just for the immense defending of central backs Elena Linari and Cecilia Salvai.
But Agyemang fired in a low shot after Giuliani spilled a cross in a rare handling error. The ball arrowed toward the net cruelly through the legs of both Linari and Giuliani.
After the final whistle blew, Guiliani lay flat out and face down against the turf all alone in the middle of Italy’s half of the field. The penalty was conceded by substitute Emma Severini for tangling with Beth Mead. Severini had a clear chance in the 86th to lift Italy into a two-goal lead but her close-range shot after a corner was smothered by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
England’s wild ride
The defending champion is taking a bumpy road to a second straight title match. It started with a humbling 2-1 loss to France in the opening game that was coach Sarina Wiegman’s first defeat at a Women’s Euros in her third tournament. It did, however, after routing the Netherlands and Wales by a combined score of 10-1, keep England
out of Spain’s half of the knockout bracket. England then trailed 2-0 to Sweden after 78 minutes of their quarterfinal, and twice in the penalty shootout would have been out had the Swedes not failed with their next spot-kick.
Supersub Agyemang At age 19, Michelle Agyemang is making an incredible start to her England career. Her third goal in just her fourth national-team game also was her second crucial equaliser in the Euro 2025 knockout rounds.
She almost won the game before Kelly, but her deft lob in the 117th rebounded off the Italy crossbar.
ENGLAND’S CHLOE KELLY, centre, scores her side’s second goal during the Women’s Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match against Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. (AP Photos/ Martin Meissner)
ENGLAND’S MICHELLE AGYEMANG, right, celebrates with Ella Toone after scoring her side’s first goal.
ENGLAND’S CHLOE KELLY, right, celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal.
ITALY’S BARBARA BONANSEA, right, scores the opening goal past England’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. (Salvatore Di Nolf/Keystone via AP)
Hornets hold off Kings to win first NBA Summer League title
By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) —
Kon Knueppel, the fourth pick in this year’s draft, scored 21 points and Charlotte held off a Sacramento rally to beat the Kings 83-78 on Sunday for the Hornets’ first NBA Summer League title.
Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 points and three other players each scored 11 for the Hornets, who ended their Summer League run with a 6-0 record.
Isaac Jones had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento (5-1), and Devin Carter scored 13. Nique Clifford, drafted 24th, finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. He entered the game averaging averaging 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds.
The Kings lost for the first time in three trips to the final. They won titles in 2014 and 2021.
Knueppel continued his hot play after scoring five points in his opener. He averaged 18.3 points over his final four games and was named the championship game MVP. His 3-pointer
with 31.1 seconds left gave the Hornets a four-point lead. “Like I said before, if you’re going to come here, you should win,” Knueppel said. “So that’s what we did.”
The Hornets dominated early, leading by 36-18 in the second quarter. The Kings came back, and Jones twice cut the deficit to a point late — a follow with 1:17 left and a 3-pointer with 20.3 seconds remaining.
But the Hornets closed out the game at the freethrow line, three players making 5 of 6.
“It’s a championship game,” Charlotte Summer League coach Chris Jent said. “That’s what everybody wants to see anyway, so it works out well. In order to win a championship, you’ve got to play through adversity.”
Hornets centre James Banks III was ejected with 3:47 left in the third quarter after picking up a flagranttwo foul for an elbow to Sacramento centre Dylan Cardwell’s face. Cardwell went down hard and remained on the floor during most of the video review.
KYLE FILIPOWSKI BECOMES 1ST UTAH JAZZ PLAYER TO EARN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE MVP
By JOHN COON Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Kyle Filipowski became the first Utah Jazz player to earn most valuable player honours in the NBA Summer League yesterday.
Filipowski, a 6-foot-11 forward out of Duke, averaged a league-leading 29.3 points per contest over three games while adding 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
He shot 56.1% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range.
His best summer league performance came against San Antonio on July 14 when he finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds.
He’s hoping to use his summer league experience as a springboard for the role he wants to play with the Jazz in his second NBA season.
“Obviously it’s different in summer league versus (the regular season),”
Filipowski said, following the third and final summer league game for the Jazz. “I’m just trying to be myself out there right now. However that translates to the season, that’s how it’s going to be. I’m going to make the most of it in that way.”
Filipowski appeared in 72 games in his rookie campaign with Utah, making 27 starts. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. By season’s end, Filipowski was one of only two NBA rookies to total more than 650 points, 400 rebounds and 100 assists.
half in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
CHARLOTTE Hornets players celebrate after defeating the Sacramento Kings in an NBA Summer League championship basketball game.
(AP Photo/John Locher)
SACRAMENTO Kings’ Dylan Cardwell, left, and Charlotte Hornets’ Ryan Kalkbrenner battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA Summer League championship basketball game on Sunday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Joshua Outlawz defeat Community Baseball League All-Stars 15-0 NEW
NATHAN Miller collected three hits in three at-bats, as the Joshua Outlawz defeated the Community Baseball League All-Stars 15-0 on Monday as the New Providence Baseball League continued its inaugural regular season.
Miller doubled in the second inning and doubled in the first inning in the only game played at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.
Joshua Outlawz scored 14 runs in the second inning on the way to victory.
Craig Wells tripled, scoring one run, Nathan Miller doubled, scoring two runs, Joel Miller singled, scoring two runs, Stephen Cartwright singled, scoring one run, Kendall Brown drew a walk, scoring one run, Sherman Ferguson Jr drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored one run, Nathan Miller doubled, scoring two runs, Avery Bain Jr singled, scoring one run, and Stephen Cartwright singled, scoring two runs.
Joshua Outlawz was the first to get on the board in the first when Joel Miller singled, scoring one run.
Javier Bowe Jr started on the bump for Joshua Outlawz. The starter gave up
one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out five and walking none.
Shevar Knowles stepped on the hill first for the Community Baseball League. The pitcher gave up seven hits and nine runs over one and one-third innings, striking out none and walking four.
Joshua Outlawz collected 11 hits in the game. Stephen Cartwright provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Joshua Outlawz with three runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 3-for-3 on the day.
Nathan Miller, Joel Miller and Stephen Cartwright each collected three hits for Joshua Outlawz. Joshua Outlawz had patience at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Javier Bowe Jr. and Kendall Brown led the team with two free passes each.
Joshua Outlawz ran wild on the base paths, accumulating four stolen bases for the game and was surehanded and didn’t commit a single error.
Stephen Cartwright made the most plays with five. Joshua Burrows went 1-for-1 at the plate to lead Community Baseball in hits.
Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr
ON THE REPLAY: Joshua Outlawz defeated the Community Baseball League All-Stars 15-0 on Monday as the New Providence Baseball League continued its inaugural regular season.
PRO BASKETBALL PLAYER KENNY ISNORD HOME FOR
REST AND RELAXATION WITH HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
AFTER completing his fourth season playing professional basketball in France, Kenny Isnord says there’s nothing like coming home for much-needed rest and relaxation with his family and friends.
On his return this year, the Bahamian men’s national basketball team brought along one of Europe’s top female basketball players, Maria Jespersen, to check out what it’s like living on the islands.
Isnord - a 25-year-old 6-foot, 6-inch power forward - is coming off his season in Spanish Tercera, a city near Madrid where he played for Perfumerias Avenida Xoborg Salamanca, the third league in Spain.
Having only lost five games this season, Isnord said they fell short of making the playoffs as only the top two advanced and they finished third.
Isnord, who was recruited to play in Europe through Bahamian Jaraun “Kino” Burrows’ Raw Talent Sports group, averaged about eight points, seven rebounds and two steals.
“It’s been an awesome journey visiting these places and every place is different, so you have to adjust your game,” said Isnord, who was one of five foreign players on the team.
“But I’m enjoying it. When you go to Europe, you have to learn to play in a system and I think I have been able to do that this year in Spain, so I would say it’s been a really good season for me.’
One of those five foreign players on the team was fellow Bahamian Paul Hepburn, who played briefly with Isnord before Hepburn left to play with another team.
“It was solid. It was nice having somebody else from The Bahamas,’’ Isnord said. “The Spanish boys were doing their own thing, so it was good for us to spend some time together as Bahamians.”
Isnord said he’s just thrilled to be home and spending time with family and friends. He said he was delighted to be hospitable to Jespersen in hosting her in The Bahamas.
Jespersen, one of the top players from Denmark who played on their national team since she was 16, said after attending the University of South Florida, she
had hoped she would have been selected in the Women’s National Basketball Association’s draft by the New York Liberty when she graduated in 2018.
But, instead, the Liberty passed up on the 6-0 forward and the 31-year-old decided to take her talents to the other part of the world, playing in Australia, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
“The WNBA is a high level, very physical,” said
Jespersen in comparing the two leagues.
“In Europe, we swing the ball around more and try to find the open woman.
“I think the WNBA, like the NBA, is more skilled based where you break down your defender and go from there, while in Europe, it’s more read the
defender off speed and then you go from there.”
While playing in Spain this year, Jespersen said she met Isnord and having been here before to play with USF in a tournament, she wanted to explore a little more of the island.
“I am getting to see the real Bahamas and not the
touristic side,” she said.
“It’s so much cooler being immersed into the culture and not just living in your super nice hotels.
“I got to see so much of the beaches, went to Paradise Island, but I get to enjoy so much more of the island. So, I’m going to be spending my time practicing and enjoying the beaches and the sites around town.”
As for Isnord, Jespersen said The Bahamas has a very talented player who has survived some challenges in his life and is heading into the right direction.
“I have some high hopes for him,” she stated. “I believe in him a lot.”
Jespersen said she would have liked to have seen some of the women play but, in their absence, she enjoyed watching the talent on display during the ‘Peace on da Street’ Basketball Tournament that wrapped up at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium Sunday night. Isnord said he will continue to remain “locked in” working out in the gym in preparation for his second appearance on the men’s national team as they play in the Americas Cup in August. Hopefully, The Bahamas will prevail.
PRO basketball players Kenny Isnord and Maria Jespersen in shoot-around mode.
SHOWN, left to right, are pro basketball player Kenny Isnord, Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium manager Arthur Thompson Jr and Raw Talent Sports founder Jaraun “Kino” Burrows. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr