By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield headline the roster of Bahamas for the 2024 pre-Olympic Qualifiers Americas. The list also included Charlotte Hornets big man Kai Jones.
Ayton will be returning to the national team after seven years to help the Bahamas against some tough competition, especially considering that the tournament is hosted by traditional power Argentina. Bahamas, Argentina. Cuba and Panama will compete in Group A and the two top teams will advance to the semifinals to face the first and second-placed teams from Group B, featuring Chile Colombia, the Virgin Islands and Uruguay in knockout games.
Only the tournament winner will advance to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held from July 2 to 7 in 2024.
While Ayton last played for Bahamas at 18 years of age in the 2016 Centrobasket Championship, Hield participated in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, posting 24.0 points, 5.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds.