Used to having players in the big American league, Haiti is one of the few countries without representatives for this season
The NBA has registered 125 international players at the start of the 2023-2024 season, a record in its history. Haiti, accustomed to having players in the big American league, is one of the few countries without representatives for this season. Growing insecurity in the country played a major role in this situation, as a college in the state of Texas in the United States was unable to travel to Haiti to recruit Haitian youth.
The last time a Haitian player played in the NBA was December 28, 2019. That evening, Skal Labissière played three minutes in the Portland Trail-Blazers’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers 120- 128. Since then, no native Haitian has played a single minute in the big American league.
AyiboPost interviewed several people in the Haitian basketball community to understand this situation.
According to Ralph Ganthier, sports analyst on the show Ibo Basket, the absence of a regular basketball championship in Haiti is one of the causes of this situation.
“Without a regular championship, the players will not be in rhythm and it will be very complicated for them to go through the university circuit in the United States to join the NBA,” says Ralph Ganthier.
The last time a Haitian player played in the NBA was December 28, 2019.
In addition to the absence of regular competitions, insecurity prevents young Haitians from obtaining opportunities to join American universities and eventually the NBA.
In March 2021, the founder of RPA College (Texas, USA), Reggie Calhoun, visited Haiti. During his visit, he met with the leaders of the Haitian Basketball Federation with a view to concluding a contract that could help the said federation.
At that time, according to the vice-president of the Haitian Basketball Federation (FHB), Alph Ulysse, this partnership aimed to provide “support in material, equipment and technique; the creation of an academy in collaboration with the RPA. Thus, the best young talents in the country would have the opportunity to join the RPA college located in the USA (Texas).”
Three years after this visit, the negotiations are at a standstill, due to the insecurity which is gnawing at the country.
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Contacted by AyiboPost, Alph Ulysse confirms that there was a real desire among RPA College officials to establish their bases in Haiti. “They really wanted a partnership with the Haitian Basketball Federation,” says Alph. “But because of the insecurity, they could not send coaches to supervise our players.”
Three years after this visit, the negotiations are at a standstill, due to the insecurity which is gnawing at the country.
Founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Reggie Calhoun, RPA College aims to “specifically address the needs of student-athletes who have been underestimated and overlooked.” Their program provides student-athletes of varying levels access to competitive sports participation at the junior college level, as well as the tools and resources needed to earn a four-year college degree.
For her part, Ashley Salomon, basketball coach, believes that there are a lot of changes to make in Haitian basketball. “First of all, we must have adequate infrastructure for the development of basketball in Haiti,” suggests coach Salomon. “Then, we need very good training for coaches and young Haitian basketball players.”
During this period of uncertainty in Haitian basketball, several players of “Haitian origin” playing in the NBA are trying to make a name for themselves.
Among these players, we find Lugentz Dort, born in Montreal. This Canadian player plays in the Oklahoma City Thunder team and is currently having a very good season with his team.
Read also: Football: The suspension of the Haitian championship plunges players into prolonged unemployment
Benedict Mathurin, also born in Montreal to a Haitian mother, plays for the Indiana Pacers.
In December 2023, Mathurin was able to raise $10,000 with several other players playing in the NBA for the Haitian community living in the state of Indiana.
Confident, the player believes he is better than LeBron James. Although he averaged 14.5 points per game, an injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season.
Par Kervens Merisema
Cover image: basketball player Skal Labissière, former Portland Trail-Blazers player. | © Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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2024-04-17 01:45:42
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