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WESTERN BUREAU:

Young basketballers in Western Jamaica are in for a real treat this coming Monday, as NBA shooting guard Devin Vassell of the San Antonio Spurs is slated to be in Montego Bay, St James, to host a special basketball clinic.

The clinic, which will be staged at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, is an initiative of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) and is expected to give aspiring players a chance to learn from one of the game's rising stars.

Vassell, who has Jamaican roots and has even played locally in high school competitions, is making the trip as part of JaBA's push to re-energise basketball in the west by giving young players access to elite-level knowledge and mentorship.

"We are really pleased to have Devin here to work with our young players," JaBA's president Paulton Gordon told STAR Sports.

"Having this clinic at Herbert Morrison is significant. It's not just about who is coming, it's about reigniting the passion for basketball in Montego Bay and the wider region."

Gordon said the choice of venue was no accident, as Herbert Morrison has a rich history of developing and exposing good talent.

"Herbert Morrison has always been a basketball powerhouse. They've produced national players and helped shape the sport in this part of the island," said Gordon. "This clinic is about legacy meeting the future."

Vassell, who stands six feet, five inches, was drafted 11th overall by the Spurs in 2020 and has been steadily making a name for himself in the NBA. Over his five seasons in the NBA, he has averaged 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.

This past season, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, while shooting just under 37 per cent from long range.

Gordon says the clinic is part of JaBA's mission to bring more international attention to basketball in the west.

"We're trying to bring more international flavour to Montego Bay's basketball," he said. "So when celebrities and NBA players are in the country, we want them involved and giving back. That's how we grow the game."

Gordon further noted that the clinic also connects with JaBA's plan to expand basketball to 60 new primary schools over the next two years, an initiative which is backed by partners like the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation and the Ministry of National Security's LIV Good programme.

"This is how we build the base. The more exposure we give our young players, the stronger our future becomes," Gordon said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com