Chad Avis only Jamaican selected for international basketball camp

Avis, 17, a student of Old Harbour High School, is the only Jamaican chosen by the FIBA’s technical team from a list of five players submitted by the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA).

The six-foot, six-inch guard will travel to Aruba for the December 5-8 camp and will get the chance to rub shoulders with some of the finest emerging young talents in the Americas.

Avis, now in grade 11, was a member of the national team that represented the country at this summer’s regional Centrobasket U17 championships in Puerto Rico. Jamaica finished seventh in the eight-team tournament with Avis ranked 48th out of 96 players.

Ricardo Edwards is Avis’ high school coach and the man who spotted the lanky talent five years ago. He said the selection of Avis is not a surprise.

“Not surprising that he was selected, he was always a standout from he started basketball in grade seven to now. He was the top scorer when got to both national under-14 and under-16 finals a few years back,” Edwards told Old Harbour News.

“It is always good to see your student progress,” he added. “It is good that a little school like Old Harbour High, which does not have the rich basketball history like some of the traditional schools producing such a talent like Chad. So it speaks to the programme and what is happening here.” 

Reacting to the invitation Avis said: “I am very grateful for this opportunity. I thank my family, my coach, and my teammates for supporting me throughout my years of play.

“While I was in Puerto Rico I was preparing for this moment. I had some doubts, but I am very grateful I was selected to represent my country.

“There is a lot of pressure but to whom much is given much is required.”

“We knew of his qualities. It was a very competitive selection process and we are very happy that he was able to clear that hurdle. He’s a very humble young man, well mannered, well-disciplined and consistent,” Paulton Gordon, president, JaBA, said in an interview with Old Harbour News.

“So I’m hoping that he can take it to another level. I think he realizes what basketball can do in terms of his life, in terms of opportunities, in terms of scholarships and I think he’s dedicated to the task.”

FIBA said the camp represents a major shift in focus for young prospects insofar as their careers as athletes and personal development.