Friday, September 23, 2016

BURKETT DORSETT

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas will have a presence on the newly formed body to oversee the partnership between baseball and softball at the regional level.

#Long time local softball executive and current president of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation, Burket Dorsett, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the World Baseball/Softball Confederation Softball Americas.

#At the recent Confederation of Pan American Softball (CONPASA) Congress in Valencia, Venezuela, the decision was made to unify all confederations in the region and work for improvements within the WBSC.

#This unification and new body is responsible for the administration of softball in the Americas, Canada, the Central, Spanish and English Caribbean and South America. It serves from 2016 to 2020 and its recognition resulted in the expansion of the board to 13, including all the presidents of the major regions.

#The board is headed by Tommy Valaquez of Puerto Rico and also includes Amilca Estrada of Guatemala, Kevin Quinn of Canada, Alfredo Perez of Domican Republic, Jan Croes of Aruba, Roberto Castra of Central American, Enriqo Alcarez (South America), Carlos Lopez CONPASA, Danilli Valesco CONCASOF and Antonio Morales, Colombia.

#“At the moment discussions are underway with regards to the men’s and women’s CAC and Pan Am Games along with other various regional events throughout 2017. Discussions will also be had on the way forward on the federation putting forth views on teams in the region qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo,” Dorsett said, “Even though the confederations are amalgamated they still recognised federations responsible for their region but the governing body is now officially the overseer, WBSC of Americas. The federations though would act as an appeal board within their region between member federations and their clubs. It wouldn’t change the way the game is operated locally but they are now just overseen by the WBSC to comply with rules and regulations of the organisation. They will also arrange championships for the different regions.”

#Dorsett previously served as president of the New Providence Softball Association and Bahamas Softball Federation before taking the helm at ECASC.

#The organisation has hosted a women’s championship in the Bahamas in 2013 and a men’s championship in 2015.

#“ECASC is looking at the possibility of having what we call the Caribbean Cup, the original championship where the Champions of their respective countries will compete for this title,” Dorsett said, “We will place a strong emphasis on youth development and the U19 division is highly favoured right now. The WBSC wants to establish specific programs for them because by time the 2020 Olympics roll around they will be in the prime of their careers and as we know, baseball and softball will be in the Olympic fold in 2020.

#The WBSC is the world governing body for baseball and softball and was established in 2013 by the merger of the International Baseball Federation and the International Softball Federation.

#The WBSC was granted recognition as the sole competent global authority for both the sports of baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee.

#The WBSC has 208 National Federation Members in 141 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania.

#As the recognised governing body in baseball/softball, the WBSC is charged with overseeing all international competitions and holds the exclusive rights of all competitions, tournaments and world championships featuring National Teams.

#Discussions to merge baseball and softball world governing bodies were sparked by a Memorandum of Understanding that saw baseball and softball leaders agree to form a joint bid to be added to the 2020 Olympics Games sports program

March 13, 2020

Sporting officials hosted a meeting yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium to postpone the National Track and Field Championships as a result of the Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic. Shown (l-r) are Oria Knowles, Ministry of Sports, Quintin Brennen, NSA general manager, Drumeco Archer, president of the BAAA, Timothy Munnings, director of sports, and Burton Rodgers, chairman of the NSA.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Buddy Hield

Thursday, June 2, 2016

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Once he opted out of the NBA Draft Combine process, it was evident the private workouts would gain a greater level of importance for Buddy Hield and his draft stock.

#Hield underwent his workout of the process and scouts are already raving at the potential of the former Oklahoma Sooners guard.

#Following his first workout in Anaheim, California, on Tuesday, ESPN Insider Chad Ford said Buddy’s efficiency of his greatest skill was well on display – his shooting.

#“Hield certainly looked the part as a shooter. He rarely missed shots, regardless of where he was on the floor. When the NBA 3-point line became boring (a line that is typically intimidating for college shooters, regardless of their skill), he was comfortable stepping back another five feet and hitting 20-of-25 from “Curry range” in one drill.

#And Hield did it with all the confidence that he showed at Oklahoma last season. He believes he can be special – great shooters need that level of confidence,” he said. “His confidence and quick release make him arguably the best shooter in this draft. In a league desperate for shooters, that only makes him a more attractive lottery pick.”

# Hield told anyone willing to listen that he returned to the Sooners for his senior season in an effort to improve his ballhandling, ability to finish at the rim and defensive skillset. “Both efforts are coming along nicely. Hield looked terrific in a number of ball-handling drills, and while I didn’t get to see him play defence (he was in a one-on-none workout), he seemed confident he was going to address his defensive deficiencies in the NBA,” Ford said.

#Hield, expected to be one of the top selections in the June 23 Draft, completed his star-studded senior season for the Oklahoma Sooners with a litany of awards, including the John R Wooden, Naismith and Oscar Robertson Player of the Year trophies.

#He was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches first-team, a first-team All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), Sports Illustrated and USA Today. His list of honours thus far on the year also includes the Sporting News Player of the Year, USBWA District VI Player of the Year, CBS Sports Player of the Year, Big 12 Player of the Year and the All-Big 12 first-team.

#He expressed confidence that his defence will not be a liability once he gets to the next level.

#“My freshman year I was a good defender. My sophomore, junior and senior year I turned into a scorer. I took a step back the last three years. But if you want something you go and get it. I know in the NBA there will be a lot of 2-guards coming at me. I know I have to stop them to stay on the court. Defence comes from your heart inside. I have a lot of heart.” Hield said. “I’m not going to let anyone take advantage of me. That’s how it’s always been for me growing up. So I’m going to do what I have to do when I get there and I don’t think defence will be a problem for me.”

#While the majority of the invited players attended, several top prospects – including Hield, Louisiana State University’s Ben Simmons, Gonzaga’s Domas Sabonis and Washington’s Dejounte Murray – opted not to participate.

#Top overall pick of 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns, also opted out of the combine.

#Hield is projected by virtually every reputed mock draft or scouting service to be taken in the lottery. NBAdraft.net projects him to go fourth overall, ESPN.com projects him as the sixth overall selection while DraftExpress suggests he will go seventh.

#Hield, a six foot, 4-inch, 207-pound shooting guard, is projected to have a likely destination of teams looking for shooting and backcourt help – the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets or Sacramento Kings.

#Hield averaged 25 points per game, shot 50 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from three-point range. He also made four three-point field goals per game and shot 88 per cent from the free throw line.

#The Celtics, who have the greatest probability of landing the highest pick between the group, shot just 34 per cent from three-point range as a team during the regular season. They also made 8.7 three-point field goals per game. Avery Bradley was the team’s top three-point shooter among players that qualified at 36 per cent.

#The Pelicans could also benefit from Hield’s shooting with Eric Gordon and backup point guard Norris Cole as unrestricted free agents. Gordon led the Pelicans in three-point makes per game while shooting 38 per cent from long range.

#The Kings continue to search for a consistent answer at the shooting guard spot after 2013 lottery pick Ben McLemore scored just 7.8 points per game and shot 36 per cent from three pointers.

#Hield made a record 147 three-pointers last season at Oklahoma in 37 games while the Kings leading three-point shooter, Omri Casspi, made 112 in 69 games.

#The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place in Brooklyn, New York, on June 23.

Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield reacts to making his 26th basket during the NBA All-Star 3-Point contest on Saturday. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Monday, February 18, 2019

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Buddy Hield fell short in his bid to win the title in his debut at the MTN Dew Three Point Shootout, but was recognised among the game’s elite shooters at NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.

#Hield reached the championship round in Saturday’s event but finished third behind second place finisher Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and eventual champion, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets.

#The third year Kings guard brought fans to their feet with his 26 points in the first round, which topped the leaderboard ahead of Harris (25) for a brief moment before Curry made 27.

#Hield posted 19 points in the championship round while Harris topped the field with 26 and Curry finished with 24.

#Hield began the final round with a make on his first attept, but missed three of his next four shots. He missed all five from the top of the key, which made Harris’ score of 26 out of reach.

#“I didn’t lose focus, but there was a lot of pressure. Joe [Harris] was just making shots. I didn’t know what the score was but I was just thinking ‘I can’t miss this one’ after that I had a bad stretch, finished strong, wish I could have some shots back, but I’ll have a lot more chances at it, this isn’t the last one that I’ll compete in,” Hield said.

#“You win some you lose some. It’s been a dream come true to be in the three-point shootout. Everyone knows I love the three ball but I’m just blessed and fortunate to be in this position.”

#Hield was the first Kings player to compete in the event since Peja Stojakovic.

#“It’s a fun competition,” he said. “I have to win one before I’m done.”

#It was Hield’s third appearance at NBA-All Star Weekend. In 2017 his 28 points helped Team World to a 150-141 win over the USA in the Rising Stars Challenge in New Orleans.

#He followed with an active 2018 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Hield participated in the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Challenge, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge and he was also one of several players who hosted various NBA Cares Clinics during the NBA All-Star weekend.

#He helped the World Team to a 155-124 win over Team USA and his numbers were again in MVP contention with 29 points, five made threes, three rebounds and three assists.

#Hield, 26, finished last season as the Kings second-leading scorer averaging 13.5 points (.446 field goal percentage, .431 three-point percentage, and 88 three throw percentage), 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.06 steals in 25.3 minutes per game.

#Hield now has 195 three-point makes this season in just 57 games to surpass his previous high of 176 set in the 2017-18 campaign. He is currently tied for fourth in the NBA in three-point percentage.

Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE record-setting three-point shooting display put on by the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings garnered league-wide attention and continues a season of milestones for our very own Chavanno “Buddy” Hield.

#Warriors MVP point guard Stephen Curry, who has set his own share of three-point records, acknowledged Hield as one of the league’s elite shooters following their matchup at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, on Saturday.

#“He’s a great, great shooter, he showed that tonight and he’s consistently gotten better since his rookie year,” Curry said.

#“He’s just confident, they got a lot of guys that can space the floor but Buddy shows how great of a shooter he is, so yeah, he’s got it.”

#Golden State and Sacramento set an NBA record for combined three pointers with 41 makes from beyond the arc. Golden State shot 21 of 47 beyond the arc while Sacramento was 20 of 36. The 20 three pointers were a franchise record for the Kings.

#Curry scored 20 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter and had 10 3-pointers, and the Warriors held on to beat the Kings 127-123.

#Hield scored 32 points on 12-21 shooting from the field, including a career high 8-13 from three.

#“Everyone got everyone’s best shot. We came and played out at a high level we just couldn’t find a way to beat those boys, they’re tough,” Hield said. “We’re not too far from them, just a couple possessions off. They sense it, it’s going to come, might not be this year, maybe next year but it’s going to come.”

#Hield had five threes in the third when Sacramento turned an 81-73 deficit into a 103-96 lead. However, he had just a single field goal make in the fourth quarter.

#“Klay is a great defender and the ball was moving for us on offence. [Justin Jackson] was hot and I didn’t need to shoot those same shots I did earlier,” Hield said. “When coach called a play for me Klay defended well so it’s all in the flow of the offence. KD didn’t put up much shots in the fourth quarter either, I think it was three and he made all three. Those guys are champions, they did what they do best.”

#The Kings are currently ranked 10th in the Western Conference at 19-20. “They respect us, they know not to play with us like that, last game Durant and Klay didn’t start the fourth quarter but they all started the fourth in this game,” Hield said.

#“It’s one of those games you want to compete in but you want to be on the winning side. We’re going to figure it out. I think everyone in the league knows we can compete.

#“I think we’re a good team now but to be elite, we got to lock in and finish those possessions, get stops on defence and grind it out. We have a good stretch coming up. No disrespect to no teams in the NBA but these are games we have to win.”

#The third-year guard continues to post career numbers at 20.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

#“I’m ok, not where I want to be but I always think there’s more I can do. I put pressure on myself to be the best I can be. The franchise trusts me to go out there and score the basketball, that’s my job,” Hield said.

#Kings head Coach Dave Joerger said Hield continues to be one of the catalysts of the Sacramento offense thus far.

#“He’s playing well and kept us in some games lately until we get going or find some other scoring. He’s been terrific, really excited about the growth he showed,” Joerger said, “We’d love to find a way to get him to the foul line a couple times but I can’t find fault in much of anything. He’s competing at a higher level defensively which is impressive to me, playing with the pass more and trusting his teammates.”

#On the prospects of facing the Warriors in a first-round matchup, Hield was intrigued at the possibilities.

#“It would be dope, we’ve got to get there first though,” he said, “We’ve got to win some more games for that.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield. (AP)

As of Thursday, April 23, 2020

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#The NBA season may be on hiatus but Buddy Hield relishes the opportunity to compete against what some call the best shooting backcourt of all time to prove himself as the top three-point shooter in the league.

#Hield appeared on the debut episode of “Wire to Wire: Warriors vs Kings” on NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California to discuss the California interstate rivalry, particularly, the February 25 matchup at Chase Center.

#Hield finished with 19 points, including five made three pointers in the fourth quarter of the Kings 112-94 win.

#The 2020 three-point champion is known as one of the top marksmen in the sport, but said he hopes to one day defend that title against past champions and fellow elite shooters – Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

#Curry previously won the 3-Point Contest in 2015, while Thompson won in 2016. Hield said he looks forward to facing both in future editions of the event. “I think it’d be better going against them and winning it, because they’re such great shooters,” Hield said.

#“Probably two of the best shooters to ever play our game. And hopefully one of these days we can all go in there one time and see what everybody is about and have that big challenge.”

#“Wire to Wire: Warriors vs Kings” airs on NBC Sports Bay Area on Tuesday at 10pm and NBC Sports California on Wednesday at 10pm.

#Earlier this season, Hield shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, and became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals.

#He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#In his four-year career, Hield has made more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons with 830. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#Curry currently holds the record for most three-point field goals made in a single season with 402 set in 2015-16. He also ranks third (354 in 2018-19), fourth (324 in 2016-17), sixth (286 in 2014-15) and ninth (272 in 2012-13) on the top 10 list.

#Hield’s 2018-19 season comes in at No.7 all time with 278 threes while Thompson is ranked No.9 with 276 made in 2015-16.

#In his championship winning 3-Point Contest, Hield executed a nearly perfect final round to become the champion last February in Chicago.

#The Grand Bahama native posted a final round of 27 points, and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.

#At the 2018 All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hield fell short in his bid to win the title in his debut. He reached the championship round but finished third behind second place finisher, Curry, and eventual champion, Joe Harris.

Buddy Hield.July 24, 2020The Nassau Guardian0194Views

In his first National Basketball Association (NBA) official game since March, Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield netted a team-high 19 points against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at the ESPN World Wide Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. However, Hield and the short-handed Sacramento Kings fell, 104-98, in the scrimmage game. They were without guard De’Aaron Fox and forwards Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley III.

Hield, who laced up in a pair of Bahamian flag-colored Kobe Bryant shoes, came off the bench and played 24 minutes on the night. He finished 8-for-16 from the field including 3-for-10 from three-point territory.

“It was fun – getting back out there and showing what we can do. Hopefully, we can watch some film and build off that before we enter the fire of the eight-game tournament” Hield said after the game.

The Bahamian checked into the game for Nemanja Bjelica with 5:39 remaining in the first quarter. To no one’s surprise, Hield’s first shot attempt was a three-point attempt, almost two minutes after checking in. He missed it. At the end of the quarter, Hield was 0-for-3 from the field, shaking off some rust after having missed over four months of basketball with the exception of a showing in a Skinz League game in Edmond, Oklahoma, last month. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that he tested positive for COVID-19, and thereby missed the start of training camp in the resumption of basketball for the Kings.

With a minute left in the second quarter against the Heat on Wednesday night, the sharp shooter finally got on the scoreboard when he connected on a three-pointer on an assist from Cory Joseph. About 50 seconds later, he made a step back jumper – the last field goal of the half, finishing with five points at the intermission. The Heat led 65-44 at that point.

“I’m really trying to get my legs under me,” Hield said. “I was out for about three weeks, so to make up, I’ve been putting in extra work – moving back and forth, just trying to find my groove and get more comfortable out there. In this environment, you have to be mentally locked in. There are no fans to shift the momentum. It’s definitely something that we have to get used to, but these are the times we’re living in.”

It was a better second half for the reigning NBA Mountain Dew Three-Point Champion and the Kings. Held quickly got into a rhythm and the Kings came back in the game. Hield scored nine points in the third quarter, with his final bucket of the quarter coming with 1:23 left to bring the Kings to within four points, 70-66.

The Kings came close but were unable to go ahead in the fourth quarter and the Heat held on for the win.

This was the first of three scrimmage games for the Kings. They will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday and close off the scrimmage games with a match-up against the Los Angeles Clippers next week Monday.

Their season restarts next week Friday, July 31, against the San Antonio Spurs, at 8 p.m.

DeAndre Ayton, the other Bahamian NBA player, made his first appearance last night when his Phoenix Suns played their first scrimmage game against the Utah Jazz. No scores were available up to press time. Ayton and the Suns also have scrimmage games with the Boston Celtics on Sunday and the defending NBA Champions Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The Suns’ opening game of the restart will be on July 31 when they play the Washington Wizards at 4 p.m.

The Kings and the Suns were two of 22 teams chosen for the NBA restart after the regular season was stopped back on March 11 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the teams are housed in a single-site campus at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, under strict COVID-19 conditions and protocols.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo

.July 23, 2020

Sheldon Longley

0634 Views

According to Yahoo! Sports, World Athletics has reviewed the request from Shaunae Miller-Uibo for a schedule change for next year’s Olympics and could not grant the request. It stated that the decision is final.

All that means is that for the first time in her Olympic career, the Bahamian superstar athlete will contest the women’s 200 meters (m) at the Olympics. She will not defend her 400m title, unless, of course, she changes her mind.

As it is set up right now, the two events cross in the middle of the track segment of the games with the 400m first round taking place in the morning session, and the 200m final in the evening – about 12 hours apart. World Athletics has stated that that would be the best case scenario given the nature of other events – particularly as it relates to the introduction of the mixed 4x400m relay.

Miller-Uibo has stated that more would have to be done to accommodate a 200-400 double at the Olympics. With the revised schedule not yet announced, given the postponement of the games due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, there is a glimmer of hope that a schedule change may occur, but given World Athletics’ statement on Miller-Uibo’s request, it appears that a change is unlikely. Be that as it may, the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) has said it will continue to beckon on Miller-Uibo’s behalf.

The Olympic schedule has been altered in the past to accommodate a 200m-400m double attempt, particularly for Americans Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix.

“While it may look simple to move one race to a time which would allow increased rest time between the 200m and 400m, there is a knock-on effect with other events, which are then impacted,” World Athletics told Yahoo! Sports. “Following the review of various scenarios, we concluded that the current timetable provides the best opportunity for a 200m-400m doubling opportunity without adversely affecting other events. The current timetable does allow the possibility to compete in both the 200m and 400m, although we do acknowledge this requires racing twice in the same day on one occasion. Having taken that into consideration, we have tried to allow the maximum time in between the events, which results in almost 12 hours on that particular day.”

It would actually require racing twice on back-to-back days – running two rounds of the 200m on the same day, then coming back the following day and running the first round of the 400m, as well as the final of the 200m. The postponed Olympics is set for July 23 to August 8, 2021, still in Tokyo, Japan, and if the schedule is unchanged, a women’s 200-400m double is still possible, but unlikely, given the circumstances.

Additional to running back-to-back on successive days, the women’s 400m semifinals is the day after the 400m heats, meaning Miller-Uibo would actually have to run five races in three days if she is to go after the double. She would then finally get a day’s rest before the 400m final is held.

“It’s still a little bit tricky,” Miller-Uibo said last August. “We’re just asking them to clear it up a little bit more for us, where we can focus on three [rounds in the 200m] and then focus on the other three [rounds in the 400m]. I think it’s always been so simple for the 100m-200m runners. The 200m-400m being a more complex double, I think we’re asking for a day, if they can at least do that for us.”

It’s a daunting task, even for one considered a transcendent athlete and arguably the best over both distances in this Olympic cycle. With her national record setting run of 21.74 seconds in Zürich, Switzerland, a year ago, she is the world leader in this Olympic period in that event. Her area record of 48.37 seconds in the women’s 400m is second only to Salwa Eid Naser’s fantastic run of 48.14 seconds last year – the third-fastest time in history. Miller-Uibo is or has been the world leader in the women’s 400m in four of the past five years.

She went undefeated for two years in the 200 and 400m before finishing second to Naser, of Bahrain, at last year’s Doha World Championships. Naser was provisionally suspended for a “whereabouts failure”, missing three doping tests in the span of 12 months. She said the missed tests all came before the world championships, and it appears that she could face losing the world title as well as missing the Olympics.

To date, Miller-Uibo remains one of only five women to ever run under 22 seconds in the women’s 200m and under 49 seconds in the women’s 400m.

Miller-Uibo said a final decision is yet to be made, but as it stands now, she will likely run just the 200m in Tokyo. She started her Olympic journey eight years ago as an 18-year-old, running the 400m in London, England. Four years later in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, she was the Olympic Champion, falling across the finish line to beat American legendary sprinter Allyson Felix.

Miller-Uibo expressed a late interest in going after the double in Rio de Janeiro, but was hindered in that attempt by team management.

It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made when the new Olympic schedule is released.

Lashann Higgs.July 22, 2020Simba French0334Views

She missed out on being selected in the 2020 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, but Bahamian female guard Lashann Higgs is headed to Bembibre, Spain, to play professionally.

Higgs signed with Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre PDM which plays in the Liga Femenina Endesa (Liga Dia) – the highest women’s basketball division in Spain. Higgs will look to help elevate the team from the bottom of the standings after they finished with four wins and 18 losses last season.

The Bahamian is coming off her final year of playing for the University of Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas, before entering the WNBA draft back in April. She was unable to follow in the footsteps of Walteia Rolle and Jonquel Jones as Bahamians to be drafted into the WNBA. Despite not being selected in the draft, Higgs is optimistic about going elsewhere to play professionally.

Back in May, Higgs told Guardian Sports that she was proud of everything she accomplished in her collegiate career at Texas.

“God has blessed me tremendously – to be able to compete in college and earn a college degree. I am proud that I was able to accomplish that feat… I would like to continue playing for as long as possible, but you never know what path God would lead you to. Everything that took place happened for a reason so I’ll just have to trust that God has my best interest in store for me,” she said.

That faith led her to Spain, where she will have a chance to continue her basketball career.

In her final season as a Longhorns player, Higgs averaged 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Like every other National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I sporting discipline that was in action in March, women’s basketball was shut down. That happened before the season officially ended, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Higgs showed resiliency when she bounced back from a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee in 2018. She returned this season with a knee brace and finished her collegiate basketball career.

This season, she dropped a season-high 19 points back in January in a 70-53 victory for the Longhorns over the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Higgs was able to pull down a season-high 12 rebounds in the Longhorns’ game against the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros back in November 2019. The Longhorns won that game, 85-69.

The Harbour Island native helped her team to a 19-11 win/loss record this season, including 11-7 in conference play. They finished third in the BIG 12 Conference.

The Longhorns were set to play the West Virginia University Mountaineers on March 13 in the Big 12 Conference Championships before the season was shut down.

The 24-year-old’s best season was the 2017-2018 season where she started all 35 games, averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

For her career, Higgs averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, and helped lead the Longhorns to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament four straight seasons. They reached the Elite Eight in 2016, and the Sweet 16 in back-to-back years of 2017 and 2018.

Higgs is still working out during the pandemic, staying in game shape for when the season starts in Spain. On July 10, she posted a video with her going through some dribbling and finishing drills.

Higgs spent her entire collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth and Community Studies.

Kristian Robinson.

July 22, 2020

Sheldon Longley

0392 Views

Despite being left off the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 60-man roster for summer camp, Bahamian professional baseball player Kristian Robinson is regarded as one of those rare talents who could explode in the future.

The 6’3” 19-year-old outfielder hit .282 with 14 home-runs and 51 RBIs (runs batted in) between two teams in the minor league system a year ago, and is the number one prospect of the Diamondbacks. He also had a .514 slugging percentage. It came as a bit of a surprise when Robinson wasn’t invited to be a part of the Diamondbacks’ 60-man player pool for summer camp, particularly since he stayed in Scottsdale, Arizona, working out at the D-backs’ spring training facility after the pandemic struck.

For a gifted player such as Robinson, who doesn’t turn 20 until December, the sky is the limit. He is listed as the number 43 prospect in all of Major League Baseball (MLB) and is the number 11 outfielder.

For Robinson, the season is over, given the cancelation of the minor league seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadly new coronavirus halted sports worldwide for a three-month period before a handful of leagues and sporting organizations resumed play in recent weeks, albeit while adhering to strict health and safety guidelines.

In his two seasons in the minors, Robinson has shown an ability to hit for average and power, and make plays defensively. He was a Class-A Short Season all-star a year ago, ranking second in the Northwest League in both home-runs (nine) and OPS (on-base plus slugging) at .966, fifth in average at .321 and was tied for sixth in stolen bases with 10 through 41 games. Defensively, he had four outfield assists while splitting time between center and right.

Robinson’s average dropped off a bit after being assigned to the Kane County Cougars in Class A last season, but his power numbers remained pretty much the same as he connected on five more home-runs in just 25 games. He has a good eye for the ball and when he meets the ball out front and makes good contact, it goes a long way.

Robinson signed with Arizona for $2.5 million in 2017 and has blossomed in his two years in the minors.

Many expect Robinson to be called up to the majors within the next two years, but the D-backs’ system is loaded with talent. However, if he keeps producing and putting up impressive numbers, his time in the minors could be short-lived. Outfielders Alek Thomas and Corbin Carroll, catcher Daulton Varsho and shortstop Geroldo Perdomo were all added to the Diamondbacks’ 60-man player pool and all four rank inside MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects List. Robinson is listed ahead of all of them.

The Bahamian outfielder has shown power to all fields, is already producing triple-digit exit velocities and is expected to make immediate impact whenever he is called up to the majors.

At the plate, he is regarded as a patient batter who sits back and waits on his pitch. He drew 31 walks a year ago and 27 the year before while splitting time between two teams in rookie league baseball. He has deceptive speed as well for a man his size, stealing 17 bases a year ago and 12 the season prior.

Whilst he might be taking this season off because of the pandemic, the Bahamian outfielder is expected to continue to blossom.