The Bahamas has long been the dominant basketball team in the Caribbean. Thanks to a trio of NBA players, they now have a shot at making their first Olympics.
The Bahamian National Team – led by Suns center Deandre Ayton, Suns guard Eric Gordon and Pacers guard Buddy Hield, and coached by Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco – just won the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Argentina to earn a chance to make the Paris Olympics next year.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) August 21, 2023
The Bahamas had a huge fourth-quarter comeback Sunday to defeat Argentina for the second time in five days, and earned themselves a spot in a qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympics next year. Eric Gordon had 27 points on 6-for-7 shooting from three-point range, while his Phoenix Suns teammate Deandre Ayton pulled down 21 rebounds in 38 minutes.
ERIC “CLUTCHTIME” GORDON ️
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 21, 2023
Eric Gordon goes against Argentina at #FIBAOQT final to steal the game in Argentina pic.twitter.com/tnc3bAmXVx
Gordan wasn't just a three-point shooter either. He delivered a huge dunk against Argentina, showing he can still get up at age 34.
Eric Gordon got UP for the poster slam for the Bahamas pic.twitter.com/xNKebv2hHw
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 17, 2023
Now, the Bahamas has a chance to qualify for the Olympics for the first time, with 24 teams competing in four groups for the remaining bids to the Paris Olympics. In the end, only 12 teams will make it. It helps that the Bahamas have Ayton and Buddy Hield, picked No. 1 and No. 6 in their respective drafts. It also helped that FIBA let Gordon play.
Gordon won a gold medal for Team USA in the 2010 World Cup, but switched to Team Bahamas this summer. His mother, Denise, is from the Bahamas, the island nation that also produced 1978's No. 1 pick, Mychel Thompson, whose son Klay has won four titles.
This is great news for the Bahamas, but also great news for the Suns. Gordon and Ayton are already showing strong chemistry, and Ayton is showing he can be an impact player without scoring — something that likely won't be a big part of his game with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal there to dominate the ball.
21 rebounds for DA in the biggest basketball game is Bahamas teams history. that’s the sort of presence suns need from the big man. b2b games scoring 10 or less but being one of the most impactful players on the court. it’s about the energy and effort
— Jordan Go-Kart⚜️ (@J_Kartch) August 21, 2023
Adding Gordon has turned the Bahamas into a contender. It might do the same for the Suns.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!