Although the Bahamas did not qualify for the FIBA World Cup, the national team just went on a wildly impressive stretch of play.
The team played four games in a FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament over the course of the last week. Despite a low world ranking (56) in FIBA, they won four games in a row, including two shocking wins over Argentina (ranked fourth in the world) while playing at Estadio Ciudad in Santiago del Estero, Argentina
By winning this tournament, the Bahamian national team can make a bid for the 2024 Olympics in France at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments next year.
The Bahamian national basketball team has never competed in the Olympics, so this was obviously exciting and the joy was palpable:
🇧🇸 HISTORY MAKERS 🇧🇸
The Bahamas qualify to the #FIBAOQT for a chance to play their first ever Olympics and celebrate a well-deserved win over Argentina! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SmpIvbhs2a
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 21, 2023
The Bahamas were led by Phoenix Suns teammates Deandre Ayton (15.5 ppg, 13.8 rpg and 1.3 spg) and Eric Gordon (20.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg). Gordon finished with 27 points while shooting 6-of-7 on 3-pointers.
Pacers wing Buddy Hield (19.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg) also played a massive role during the four-game tournament as well.
This was a huge step in the right direction for the Bahamas, coached by Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco. We wish we could see how they would fare in the upcoming FIBA World Cup!
