Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson

By Renaldo Dorsett

Thursday, September 24, 2020

#After weeks of speculation, Tureano “Reno” Johnson got the fight he lobbied for on his journey to the top of the middleweight division.

#Johnson will take on former WBO super welterweight champion Jaime Munguia at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, on October 30.

#“Just five weeks out from fight night, we are ready to shine. Munguia fight may not define me, but this fight will put me just one more step closer to my destiny of becoming a multi-world champion,” Johnson said.

#“I’m in the best shape and place in my life. I’m stronger, faster than ever, more clever and wiser. With the wealth of experience that I’ve gained, I’m becoming the best Tureano Johnson ever.”

#The fight will stream live on DAZN.

#“God does answer prayers. Praise be to God. A fight that’s so exciting and an opponent who is tailor made for me, I couldn’t have asked for a better opponent. I’ve seen his flaws and seek to expose them.

#“His strength I’m well familiar with. Knowing he will be entering the fight as a better fighter than he was before, I’m looking to break him down back to his old habits,” Johnson said. “I’ve watched him fight, even when he won the world titles I watched that fight and was not impressed. He’s never fought anyone near as good as me. Yes he’s talented and strong, well that is the kind of fight I’m looking to take on.”

#Both Johnson and Munguia fight under Golden Boy Promotions. The possible bout between the two has also been profiled on the promotional outlet’s web series “Fantasy Fights.”

#Now sporting a 21-2-1 win-loss-draw record, Johnson, 36, is coming off a victory over the previously undefeated Jason Quigley on July 18 for the NABF middleweight title, also at Fantasy Springs.

#Just after his win over Quigley, Johnson was ranked No.8 in the World Boxing Council and No.15 in the International Boxing Federation.

#He first issued a challenge to Munguia in May via Twitter.

#“Gots to keep the momentum,” Johnson tweeted in June. “Let’s bring on Jaime Munguia. Come and test the waters with a real Middleweight SHARK. Come for a swim.”

#Munguia, 23, is undefeated (35-0, 28 KOs) and stopped Gary O’Sullivan in round 11 of his last fight on January 11.

#In July, Johnson was added to a list of potential opponents for Canelo Alvarez at his next fight, scheduled September 12 on DAZN.

#Golden Boy Promotions President, Eric Gomez, said Johnson – the current WBC North American Boxing Federation champion – was added to a list of prospective contenders that also includes John Ryder, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Callum Smith, Anthony Dirrell and Jason Quigley.

#“Initially this fight was supposed to be Canelo who’s the pound for pound best fighter in boxing today, but due to legal issues, that fight had to be put on hold,” Johnson said.

#“Nevertheless, Munguia who is a junior middleweight world champion, will be perfect until Canelo and his matters are cleared. “

#The event will be closed off to the public to follow California’s state restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

#“Jaime Munguia has all the qualities to become Mexico’s biggest boxing superstar. He’s tough, charismatic and has the physique to win world titles at middleweight and super middleweight after a successful reign at 154,” Oscar De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, said to ESPN.com.

#“However, Tureano Johnson is coming off an impressive knockout win against Jason Quigley in which he handed him his first loss, something he wants to do against Munguia as well. This is a veritable crossroads fight, and the winner will cement his case for a [middleweight] world title opportunity and be a threat to any of the champions [in the division].”

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Freedom Farm capped an undefeated performance at the 2015 Southeast Regional 12 and Under Major/60 tournament with a 12-1 win over Kinston, North Carolina. They won by virtue of a walk-off home run to win via the 10-run mercy rule through four innings.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#After a dominant performance last week on the road against international competition, Freedom Farm is headed to the 2015 Cal Ripken Major/60 World Series.

#Freedom Farm capped an undefeated performance at the 2015 Southeast Regional 12 and Under Major/60 tournament with a 12-1 win over Kinston, North Carolina. They won by virtue of a walk-off home run to win via the 10-run mercy rule through four innings.

#Freedom Farm’s path to the title included a 5-1 victory over New Kent, Virginia, 12-2 over Winter Park, North Carolina and 10-3 in the first matchup over Kinston.

#The team now advances to the Cal Ripken Major/60 World Series hosted in Monticello, Arkansas, August 7-14. They look to repeat history following the triumph of the 2010 team when the Freedom Farm side won the Southeast Regional Championship and went on to win the Ripken Major/60 title.

#The Farmers are one of eight regional champions that are headed to the national tournament.

#The Cal Ripken Major/60 World Series is among the seven national championship baseball tournaments that’s part of the Babe Ruth League. Included is the popular Cal Ripken Major/70 division that pits teams within the United States as well as international teams that are also 12-and-under.

#The finale will be divided into two four-team pools, and seeded following a round-robin.

#The group stage is followed by single elimination playoffs.

#The Babe Ruth League is an international youth baseball and softball league based in Trenton, New Jersey.

#It was organised in 1951 as a baseball programme for boys aged 13 to 15.

#By 2010, Babe Ruth League, Inc. had more than one million players on 56,000 teams in 9,000 leagues in six countries and all 50 US states.

By Brent Stubbs

Friday, September 25, 2020

#TAKING full advantage of his new role in office, Caribbean Commissioner Greg Burrows Sr is working on bringing the regional Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament to the Bahamas.

#Less than three months after he was appointed in July, Burrows Sr revealed plans for the hosting of the event July 7-11, 2022 at the new baseball national stadium, featuring at least 10 teams in the acutual 11-12 championship series for the Caribbean and 15-and-under invitational tournament for teams around the world.

#“I will use the Bahamas as the testing ground for the first ever Babe Ruth Caribbean Championships,” Burrows Sr said. “With me being the commissioner for the Caribbean, I think it’s only fitting that we test the tournament here.

#“Once we host it here, we will allow the other countries to apply for the hosting of the tournament. Hopefully it will be a success and the other countries would want to put it on too.”

#The good thing about bringing the tournament here, Burrows Sr said they hope to utilise the new national baseball stadium that is under construction by the Bahamas Government. It could be the first major international event to be hosted in the facility in the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

#“This will give our young boys 15 and 12-year-olds the opportunity to play against some young boys in the region so that they can be scouted at the same time,” Burrows Sr said.

#“So we are very excited to bring this tournament here. I think it would be good for the Bahamas and the region.”

#“In two years, things might not be normal, but we expect that people will be travelling,” Burrows Sr projected. “So we feel that hosting the tournament in two years will give everybody the chance to prepare themselves to come to the Bahamas.”

#Burrows Sr said they also expect officials from the Babe Ruth organisation to be in town to view the tournament.

#The Babe Ruth League is an international youth baseball and softball league based in Hamilton, New Jersey. Founded in 1951, the league is named after legendary Hall of Fame baseball player George Herman ‘Babe’ Ruth.

f Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Phoenix Suns’ DeAndre Ayton poses for a photograph during media day at the NBA basketball team’s practice facility on Monday in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Phoenix Suns have made several additions to its roster, but will still lean heavily on the improvement of second year centre Deandre Ayton as the franchise progresses.

#Ayton addressed his role under new head coach Monty Williams at Suns media day. As a rookie, he took just four threes last season without a single make, a trend he looks to change in 2019-20.

#“He [Williams] is right there when I’m shooting all them threes in practice,” Ayton said. “I’ll be working out and he’s right there watching. I put up a lot of threes in these workouts, so it’s kind of opening my eyes that they really want me to shoot these threes. So I’m not going to hesitate.”

#In his lone collegiate season at Arizona, Ayton shot 35 three pointers at just over 34 per cent, but shifted away from the shot during his rookie season in Phoenix. “In our offence, there’s a number of opportunities in the trail spot where he can knock down the 3 or transfer the ball,” Williams said. “He’s worked on it, and my philosophy is if you’ve worked on it, do it. If you have it in your game and you’ve spent the time and put the sweat in, do it in the game.”

#As a team, the Suns have missed the playoffs for nine consecutive years but are optimistic after the addition of veteran point guard Ricky Rubio to play alongside Ayton and star guard Devin Booker.

#Ayton was named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. His debut season in the NBA had several milestones and the 2018 NBA Draft’s No.1 overall pick established himself as a force in the league for years to come. He finished his rookie season with averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks on 59 per cent shooting from the field in 71 games. He missed five straight games with a sprained left ankle to conclude the season but still set several franchise records. He finished with 39 double-doubles, a Suns rookie record and No.12 among all players. He also set the Suns rookie rebounding record with 729 boards.

#His field goal percentage was the third-highest in NBA history by a rookie qualified for the league leaderboard and the highest by a rookie who is averaging a double-double.

#Despite his individual success, the Suns finished at 19-63, the worst record in the Western Conference and the worst in franchise history since its first year of existence.

#With Ayton’s selection as the No.1 overall pick, The Bahamas joined the United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Australia as the only countries with multiple No 1 overall NBA draft picks.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Phoenix Suns’ DeAndre Ayton poses for a photograph during media day at the team’s practice facility in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DEANDRE Ayton’s 2019-20 preseason debut with the new look Phoenix Suns was a dominant one and gave fans an early look at his progression in the offseason.

#The second year centre finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes of the Suns’ 111-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday night.

#Matched up against All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns, the Sun went to Ayton early and often. In just the first half, he had 16 points and 10 rebounds, equalling his season averages from his rookie season.

#“You can see the difference for sure,” Suns guard Devin Booker said. “I know he put in a lot of work this summer. He stayed in Phoenix and was in the gym with the guys every day.”

#Ayton also added two assists and two blocked shots in his first game on the floor for new Suns head coach Monty Williams.

#“I like his presence in the paint,” Williams said. “His presence in the paint is going to be huge for us… Once we get more a rapport on offence, he and Ricky are going to have some synergy in pick-and-roll.”

#It was also the first time Ayton had an opportunity to play alongside new Suns point guard Ricky Rubio, fresh off his Euroleague World Cup MVP performance over the summer.

#The veteran point guard finished with 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal in his first game with the Suns and looked comfortable in his role as the primary playmaker.

#He found Ayton with a lob for a seemingly effortless alley-oop on one of their several pick and rolls.

#“I’m going to look for him,” Rubio said. “He’s athletic and he rolls hard to the basket. We just have to get to know each other better. Games like that help a lot.”

#Ayton was recently ranked among ESPNs top 100 players in the offseason as No. 66: “As expected, Ayton’s combination of size, skill and athleticism made him an efficient scorer. His .608 true shooting percentage ranked him second among rookies who played at least 500 minutes, behind Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks. As Phoenix finds more playmakers on offence, Ayton should be able to improve on the 21 per cent of the team’s plays he used as a rookie, becoming more of an offensive force.”

#Ayton finished his rookie season with averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks on 59 per cent shooting from the field in 71 games. He was named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

#His debut season in the NBA had several milestones and the 2018 NBA Draft’s No.1 overall pick established himself as a force in the league for years to come.

#In a season where he set several franchise records, he finished with 39 double-doubles, a Suns rookie record and No.12 among all players.

#He also set the Suns rookie rebounding record with 729 boards.

#His field goal percentage was the third-highest in NBA history by a rookie qualified for the league leaderboard and the highest by a rookie who is averaging a double-double.

#Despite his individual success, the Suns finished at 19-63, the worst record in the Western Conference and the worst in franchise history since its first year of existence.

Deandre Ayton hosted a meet-and-greet at Fusion Superplex, and also made a $10,000 donation to the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development. Photo: 10thYearSeniors.com

Friday, June 14, 2019

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DEANDRE Ayton is back home for the first time since he completed his NBA rookie season and took the opportunity to give back to youth development in the Bahamian community.

#Ayton hosted a meet-and-greet at Fusion Superplex and also made a $10,000 donation to the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development to assist with their efforts.

#The Phoenix Suns centre considers it a priority and privilege to give back to aspiring players and encouraged young players on their path to do the same.

#“I was in their position once. I can vouch for that. Watching guys come back to the Bahamas like Klay Thompson, Jeremy Tyler, guys being at camps participating with us, just saying what’s up can be inspiring. The same look I had in my eyes I can see it in theirs so I just try to be an example and try to represent the Bahamas the best way I can as a motivation,” he said.

#“The young guys coming up, just represent the Bahamas the best way you can. You can never really turn away from home. You need that edge, you need to be grounded in your roots. You don’t ever want to leave from that and bad karma isn’t something anyone wants.”

#Ayton was recently named one of three finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He will vie against fellow nominees Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks when the winners are announced at the 2019 NBA Awards Show presented by Kia on June 24.

#Ayton’s debut season in the NBA had several milestones and the 2018 NBA Draft’s No.1 overall pick established himself as a force in the league for years to come.

#“Just put God first and always have faith. To get to this level you will be tested and people will try to make you crumble. If you always keep God first and have faith – because God helps those who helps themselves – you will see your hard work pay off and you will see your results and achievements accomplished quickly,” he said.

#Ayton finished his rookie with averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks on 59 per cent shooting from the field in 71 games.

#He missed five straight games with a sprained left ankle to conclude the season but still set several franchise records. He finished with 39 double-doubles – a Suns’ rookie record and No.12 among all players. He also set the Suns’ rookie rebounding record with 729 boards. His field goal percentage was the third-highest in NBA history by a rookie qualified for the league leaderboard and the highest by a rookie who is averaging a double-double.

#Despite his individual success, the Suns finished at 19-63, the worst record in the Western Conference and the worst in franchise history since its first year of existence.

#“Teams did a good job of stopping me but not an individual. Teams do their best to watch the film, see what’s my bread and butter and effect my shots around the rim,” Ayton said. “The physicality [of the NBA] is definitely up there.

#“With bumps and bruises, you have to really figure it out as well, sometimes you have to play through the pain.

#“Staying healthy is the main thing. It’s definitely easier than it sounds but taking care of the little things for longevity every day. Playing some tough games back-to-back, there’s barely any rest and you really get exposed when you don’t take care of your body. Your performance goes down and if you’re not eating the right things you won’t produce on the court.”

#Ayton was selected as a member of the World Team for the 2019 Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend. He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists but his Team World lost 161-144 to Team USA.

#Ayton set a season high scoring of 33 against the Nuggets on December 29. He set his season high of 18 rebounds on three separate occasions – November 2 against Toronto, December 19 against Boston and December 23 against Brooklyn. He recorded three blocks nine times and six assists twice.

#When the Suns selected Ayton with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, it represented an historic moment for Ayton, the franchise and The Bahamas. With Ayton’s selection, The Bahamas joined the United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Australia as the only countries with multiple No 1 overall NBA draft picks. It also represented the first No 1 pick made by the Suns in franchise history and the first No 1 pick from The University of Arizona.

#During his lone season at Arizona, Ayton led the NCAA with 24 double-doubles, a PAC-12 freshman record. He averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6 per cent from the field, and was “Karl Malone Power Forward” of the year consensus First Team All-American.

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton goes up for a shot against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game last month. Photo: Ross D Franklin/AP

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Deandre Ayton’s debut season in the NBA had several milestones and the Phoenix Suns centre established himself as a force in the league for years to come.

#The No 1 overall pick finished his rookie with averages of 16.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.9 blocks on 59 percent shooting from the field in 71 games.

#He missed five straight games with a sprained left ankle to conclude the season but still set several franchise records.

#He finished with 39 double-doubles, a Suns rookie record and No.12 among all players. He also set the Suns rookie rebounding record with 729 boards.

#His field goal percentage is the third-highest in NBA history by a rookie qualified for the league leaderboard and the highest by a rookie who is averaging a double-double.

#The Suns finished at 19-63, the worst record in the Western Conference.

#Ayton was selected as a member of the World Team for the 2019 Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

#He finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists but his Team World lost 161-144 to Team USA.

#Ayton set a season high scoring of 33 against the Nuggets on December 29. He set his season high of 18 rebounds on three separate occasions November 2 against Toronto, December 19 against Boston and December 23 against Brooklyn. He recorded three blocks nine times and six assists twice.

#During the off-season, Ayton’s first impression on the NBA landscape produced his first league-wide award when he was named to the 2018 All-NBA Summer League Second Team.

#Ayton led the team with 14.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and one blocked shot per game while shooting 59.5 percent from the field as he was one of just seven players in the Las Vegas Summer League to average a double-double.

#When the Suns selected Ayton with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, it represented a historic moment for Ayton, the franchise and The Bahamas.

#With Ayton’s selection, The Bahamas joined the United States, Canada, Nigeria and Australia as the only countries with multiple No 1 overall NBA draft picks.

#It also represented the first No 1 pick made by the Suns in franchise history and the first No 1 pick from the University of Arizona.

#He was the ninth consecutive college freshman to be selected with the first overall pick.

#During his lone season at Arizona, Ayton led the NCAA with 24 double-doubles, a PAC-12 freshman record.

#He averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6 percent from the field, and was “Karl Malone Power Forward” of the year consensus First Team All-American.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton poses for a photo as the team introduces their top pick after the NBA basketball draft on Friday, June 22, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photos/Ross D Franklin)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#AN eager Phoenix Suns fan base was officially introduced to Deandre Ayton and expectations already loom large for the first No.1 overall NBA draft pick in franchise history.

#Ayton and other members of the Suns’ 2018 Draft class – Mikal Bridges, George King and Elie Okobo – were introduced to the organisation Friday at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

#One of the main headlines emerging out of the press conference, Ayton revealing that he is likely to wear No. 22 for the Suns.

#The top overall pick comes with expectations of leading a franchise and the Bahamian star appears ready to do so in Phoenix.

#“I embrace it a lot. Throughout my career I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder when it comes to expectations knowing I represent an entire nation (the Bahamas),” he said. “Coming in I want to set the tone. I know I’m coming in as a rookie but that doesn’t mean I don’t mean business on the floor as well.”

#The Suns have a new regime at the helm with new head coach Igor Kokoskov.

#“I think he’s going to be one of the elite defenders in this league,” Kokoskov said. “He can match everything other big guys can do right now in the league.”

#With Ayton’s selection, the Bahamas now joins the United States, Canada, Nigeria and Australia as the only countries with multiple No.1 overall NBA draft picks.

#It also represented the first No.1 pick made by the Suns in franchise history and the first No.1 pick from the University of Arizona.

#Ayton also previously participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global 2016 in Toronto, Canada and joins Andrea Bargnani (Italy; BWB Europe 2003; 1st overall in the 2006 NBA Draft) as the highest drafted former Basketball Without Borders campers ever.

#He is the ninth consecutive college freshman to be selected with the first overall pick.

#The Suns have drafted as high as second twice, in 1969 and 1987. They finished the 2017-18 season 21-61 but return a promising young core led by rising star guard Devin Booker who averaged nearly 25 points per game last year.

#Ayton previously mentioned the prospects of teaming with Booker to create one of the league’s most dynamic tandems.

#During his lone season at Arizona, Ayton led the NCAA with 24 double-doubles, a PAC-12 freshman record.

#He averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6 per cent from the field, and was “Karl Malone Power Forward” of the year consensus First Team All-American.

#Ayton was one of only four players in the nation to average the aforementioned double double.

#He was also Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, All-Defensive Team selection and Most Outstanding Player of the conference tournament.

#The first player in conference history to win all awards.

Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton is seen during the first half of a game on February 5 in Detroit. On Saturday against the Nuggets, Ayton grabbed his 1,000th career rebound. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Monday, February 10, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#DEANDRE Ayton continues to set franchise records for Phoenix in just his second NBA season.

#Ayton finished with 28 points, 19 rebounds in the Suns’ 117-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday night.

#His work on the boards made him the fastest Suns player in franchise history to collect 1,000 rebounds for his career. Ayton did so in just 94 games.

#“It shows where my hard work is going,” Ayton said. “I want a ‘W’ thats the best milestone you can possibly get, but it’s good to know that.”

#The 2018 No. 1 overall pick has scored 20-plus points in four of his last five games and is averaging 22.2 points on 54.2 per cent shooting, 13.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 3.4 assists per game over that stretch.

#Suns lead guard Devin Booker said Ayton continues to progress despite little fanfare of media recognition.

#“It’s very special, especially with just how under the radar his career has been. Since day one, even averaging 16 and 10 as a rookie on very efficient numbers, unbelievable,” Booker said.

#“Every time he’s out there he’s taking that next stride. You don’t hear about it that much but he comes in here with the right mindset and right approach everyday so that’s what matters.”

#Against the Nuggets, Ayton also added three steals, two assists, and one block in a season-high 42 minutes.

#He went head-to-head with Nuggets All-Star centre Nikola Jokic who finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and praised Ayton’s growth as a player.

#“He’s a monster down there,” Jokic said, “He’s a big guy, he knows how to use his body. He just needs a little bit more experience and he’s going to be great. He’s going to be a really, really great player.”

#Ayton has posted 15 double doubles in just 23 games this season, shortened by his 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

#The second year centre is averaging 18.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game this season.

#For the second consecutive year, Ayton was named to the roster of the World Team for the 2020 NBA Rising Stars Game, to be hosted February 14 at NBA All-Star Weekend at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#He will be joined on the World Team by Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada), New York Knicks guard/forward RJ Barrett (Canada), Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (Canada), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (Japan) and centre Moritz Wagner (Germany), Detroit Pistons guard/forward Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine), and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (Nigeria).

#Team USA features Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, Charlotte Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and PJ Washington and guard Devonte’ Graham, Chicago Bulls centre Wendell Carter Jr, Miami Heat guards Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr and guard Ja Morant, and Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall.

#Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was selected by the NBA as the replacement for the injured Carter.

#Ayton is one of four World Team players who participated as campers in Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball and development community outreach programme.

#Others include Barrett (BWB Global 2017), Hachimura (BWB Global 2016) and Gilgeous-Alexander (BWB Global 2016).

#It will mark the fourth time a Bahamian player made an appearance in the game following Buddy Hield’s selections in 2017 and 2018.

Suns centre Deandre Ayton in action during the first half of a game on February 5 in Detroit. A nagging ankle injury will keep him sidelined during NBA All-Star weekend. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Friday, February 14, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#A NAGGING ankle injury will keep Deandre Ayton sidelined during NBA All-Star weekend and forced his withdrawal from the 2020 NBA Rising Stars Game.

#The Phoenix Suns centre will be replaced by Nicolo Melli of the New Orleans Pelicans in the game, to be hosted February 14 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#It was Ayton’s second consecutive selection to the game which features 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world in the league’s annual showcase of premier young talent.

#Ayton has missed Phoenix’s last two games with the aforementioned left ankle injury.

#Ayton has posted 15 double doubles in just 23 games this season, shortened by his 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

#The second year centre is averaging 18.2 points and 12 rebounds per game.

#The World Team also includes Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada); New York Knicks guard/forward RJ Barrett (Canada); Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (Canada); Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada); Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura (Japan) and center Moritz Wagner (Germany); Detroit Pistons guard/forward Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine); and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (Nigeria).

#Team USA features Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, Charlotte Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and PJ Washington and guard Devonte’ Graham; Chicago Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr.; Miami Heat guards Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and guard Ja Morant; and Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall.

#Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was selected by the NBA as the replacement for the injured Carter.

#Herro is injured and will be replaced by Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

#Ayton made his NBA All-Star Weekend debut in the 2019 Rising Stars game and finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Team World lost 161-144 to Team USA.

#In addition to the Rising Stars, Ayton was also one of three NBA players selected to coach top international prospects at the 5th Basketball Without Borders Camp which hosted the top 63 high school aged boys and girls from 31 countries and regions.