Father and Son: Klay Thompson, NBA professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors(US born) and Mychal Thompson, Bahamian born, First Round Draft Pick; played for the World Basketball Champions,the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not too many weeks ago, as the excitement created by the Basketball Madness at US Colleges and Universities grew, and the names of several Bahamian talents surfaced, I drifted off, wandering if this was a sign of greater things to come!

With little fanfare, the number of outstanding basketball players have grown tremendously. In the High Schools and at the College of the Bahamas, basketball is the center of attention. We are hearing the thoughts and the question..'is it time for the Bahamas to establish itself as the Basketball Power in this region and, can we finally, get to the Olympics.

Are we dreaming, being far too ambitious and caught up in the backyard basketball hype? I don't think so.  Many others are asking the question, "is there gold for the Bahamas, out there?"  Local basketball competition is fierce and exciting. Players are jumping into the rafters, shooting from everywhere on the courts, on every Family Island and Grand Bahama; New Providence teams are no longer dominant, as Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco, are producing remarkable basketball talents.

Encouraging too, is the improved academic standing of the high school basketball players. We know that if we have the required grade level, we can get into US Colleges and Universities, on basketball scholarships. We do have the basketball potential, discipline and the desire to excel and to succeed, commented a lanky,  high school power forward.The Bahamas is strengthening its Basketball Power!

It is obvious and clear that the Bahamas Basketball Journey is continuing on the legacy of Quant, Dwitt, Gilcud, Dexter, Robbins, Peter, Aker, the Kid, Delaney, Rose, the General, Nesbitt, Rick, Goose, Mychal and so many others.  Our focus is on obtaining an education through the sport of basketball, while creating a pool of exceptionally skilled,competitive, highly motivated and disciplined basketball players,committed to creating and playing on the very first  Bahamas Olympic Gold Medal Basketball Team!

Dripping with sweat, the shooting guard shouted, "we can and we will play for the Olympic Gold, just like track and field!"

The emerging basketball expectation gains considerable possibility, when attention is given to the fact that some eleven (11) Bahamian basketball players at US Colleges and Universities, played on their teams and participated in the celebrated, Basketball March Madness 2014, in the various Basketball Conferences. Our Olympic hopefuls were center court, with the very best!

In the NCAA, Kadeem Coleby, Wichita State Shockers, Wannah Bail, UCLA Bruins, Tristian Curtis, Coastal Carolina Canticleers, Buddy Heild, Oklahoma Sooners..in the Southland Conference, Zane Knowles,Texas A&M in the Atlantic Conference, Danrad Knowles, Mikhail McLean, L.J.Rose, Houston Cougars in the SEC, Dwight Coleby, Ole Miss.Univ.Rebels, Tavario Miller, Texas A&M ACC, Shaquille Cleare, Maryland Terrapins, competed in the major basketball tournaments across the United States of America and they all did the Bahamas proud!

A noted US basketball official remarked that the Bahamas has the best pool of basketball talent, in this region and potentially,  the making of a very formidable National Team.

We can dream of a Bahamas National Basketball Team which includes our very best talents on the European basketball circuit, NBA standout, Klay Thompson, along with the collegiate and local basketball  pool.

Its time to put this dream to the Hon.Dr.Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth,Sports and Culture, the Bahamas Olympic Committee and the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

'The Bahamas must go for the Basketball Gold at the Olympics. It is time!'