Rumors

Jamaican-Bahamian NBA star Deandre Ayton, together with his Ayton Family Foundation, has expanded his philanthropic efforts to Jamaica by opening a revitalized community center in St. Elizabeth. The Cedar Spring Community Center will provide vital resources such as food, games, school supplies, health services, and more to the local community.

kaboommag.com

Ayton recently visited the island with his family, including his mother, who is of Jamaican descent, and former NBA star Dwight Howard, to mark the opening. “Back to where it all began. Together, we opened the doors to a renewed Cedar Spring Community Center in St. Elizabeth,” Ayton shared on Instagram. “Jamaica — the first AFF project on the island! With food, games, school supplies, health services, and a lot of love, we celebrated the strength and joy of this beautiful community.”

kaboommag.com

Marc J. Spears: New Lakers center Deandre Ayton is currently in his mother’s home country of Jamaica where his charitable foundation is refurbishing the local community center, installing electricity, providing school supplies and implementing a mobile medical unit for pre-school check-ups.

Twitter

Daniel Blake: BREAKING: Been informed that talks are underway for @Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes, @DetroitPistons centre Isaiah Stewart & @spurs guard Devin Vassell to join Jamaica’s growing basketball team. Twin brothers Amen & Ausar Thompson begun their passport process last week. @LAClippers star Norman Powell & @Timberwolves guard Josh Minott have already committed & will play in the FIBA World Cup Americas Pre-Qualifiers in August.

x.com

Daniel Blake: BREAKING: @Houston Rockets All-Defensive First Team star Amen Thompson & Ausar Thompson of the @Detroit Pistons are open to represent 🇯🇲 in future FIBA competitions & possibly the Olympics. The twin brothers, whose father is Jamaican, have begun the citizenship process.

Twitter

Daniel Blake: CONFIRMED: Amen & Ausar Thompson say Jamaica is a legitimate option for their international future.

Twitter

After playing for the World Team last year representing Jamaica and Congo, AJ Dybantsa told HoopsHype at last year’s Hoop Summit that the plan was to suit up for USA at this Hoop Summit, which was exactly what he did. The game comes easily to him, as he reads and reacts to defenses at ease. The BYU commit got to the rim at will and will continue at the college and professional level with his natural ability to showcase an array of offensive moves partnered with his advanced footwork for his age. His jumper has improved from last year’s Hoop Summit, which will make him even more lethal in the halfcourt.

HoopsHype

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell has announced his availability to represent Jamaica in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Pre-Qualifiers from August 8–10, 2025. The 30-year-old NBA veteran shared the news in a social media video, voicing his commitment to helping Jamaica excel on the global basketball stage. “I’m super excited to join Team Jamaica,” Powell stated. “Coach Turner and I have worked on this for a while, and now it’s a reality. I’m ready to grind and need everyone’s support to make it happen.”

basketballjamaica.org.jm

Father and son had discussed the extension offer they were sure was on the horizon while relaxing on the beach during the Brunsons' annual summer vacation at the Round Hill Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the homeland of his mother's side of the family. They decided that they'd even accept a little less than the maximum that Dallas could offer if the Mavs wanted to negotiate. Fifty million was a nice round number that would work for them. "I gave 'em a discount!" Rick Brunson said later. But the Mavs -- communicating through Brunson's CAA agents Aaron Mintz or Sam Rose -- weren't ready to make that kind of commitment. "When I first got the phone call -- [the Mavs said], 'We really want to think about it' -- it f---ed my whole vacation up," Rick Brunson grumbled.

ESPN

Samardo Samuels was arrested in Milan on Saturday night, according to local Italian outlet Il Giorno. The 36-year-old Jamaican was allegedly playing extremely loud music and drinking alcohol in the courtyard of a residential building, alongside a Cane Corso dog. A family, fearing for their safety, called the authorities, and he was eventually apprehended by the Carabinieri. “I’m a champion. I’m not a criminal,” he shouted while struggling to follow the directions of the authorities, as noted.

EuroHoops.net

"I feel like this is what we were put here to do, for us to use our platform to give back and to help,'' said Helina, adding the foundation would like to eventually branch out into Ethiopia and Jamaica. "It makes us a lot more grateful. It’s life-changing.''

Orlando Sentinel

Last week, the Sunwing Foundation and Royalton Luxury Resorts assisted NBA players Jamal Murray and Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, in hosting basketball camps for local youth in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The three basketball camps took place at Montego Bay Community College over September 20 and September 21 in collaboration with the Jamaica National Basketball Association and had hundreds of children in attendance.

Yahoo! Finance

Over the next three months, Austin’s resolve will be rewarded. He will return to the Dallas-area home that he was finally able to purchase, throwing a big birthday party for Zeke's turns second birthday. He and Alexa will spend a week together in Jamaica, followed by a five-day family trip to Disney World. As he continues rehabbing his ankle, he will field lucrative offers from several first-tier teams in Japan, and later fly to Las Vegas to work out with a South Korean club. He will take his time with these options, finding confidence that his name has made the Asian basketball map. It is possible, Misuraca estimates, that he could make seven figures somewhere next fall.

Sports Illustrated

Roger, born in Jamaica, manages Jamal’s career full time. He said he derived his training methods from kung fu, which he practiced as a younger man, and that he and Jamal continue to meditate. That’s where the “slow your heartbeat” stuff comes from, he said. The irony here is Jamal’s NBA coach, Michael Malone, said Jamal isn’t that good of a player unless he’s playing with emotion. It’s incongruous with a player who slows his heart to a dead stop in a lion’s den like Moda Center with the season on the line and foul shots to make. “When he tries to play just a low-key, nonemotional game, I think he’s just an average player,” Malone said. “A lot of guys can’t play with emotion. … When Jamal plays with that emotion — that fire, that passion — that brings out the best in Jamal Murray.

The Athletic