Thursday, January 31, 2019

Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton. (AP)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Both Bahamian born players in the NBA will participate in the league’s All-Star Weekend festivities.

#Deandre Ayton was selected as a member of the World Team for the 2019 Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars, to be hosted Friday, February 15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

#Ayton currently leads all rookies with 27 double-doubles, 10.6 rebounds per game and a .594 field goal percentage. He also ranks second in scoring at 16.4 points per game in 47 appearances this season.

#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 No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has totalled the most rebounds (496) through 47 career games in Suns history and the third-most points (770) behind only the franchise’s two all-time leading scorers Walter Davis and Alvan Adams.

#Ayton is the 11th player in franchise history to participate in the 25-year history of Rising Stars, joining Wesley Person (1995), Trevor Ruffin (1995), Michael Finley (1996), Steve Nash (1997), Shawn Marion (2001), Amar’e Stoudemire (2003; 2004-MVP), Markieff Morris (2012), Miles Plumlee (2014), Devin Booker (2016; 2017) and Marquese Chriss (2017).

#Last week, Buddy Hield was named as a participant in the 3-Point Contest, set to be hosted on State Farm All-Star Saturday night.

#Hield previously participated in the Risings Stars Challenge in both 2017-18.

#The 25th Rising Stars will pit 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 during NBA All-Star Weekend.

#Team World also includes Philadephia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (Australia), Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (United Kingdom), Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton (Bahamas), Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia), LA Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Nets forward Rodions Kurucs (Latvia), Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (Finland), Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (Nigeria) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (Turkey). Team USA features Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, Brooklyn Nets centre Jarrett Allen, Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III and guard De’Aaron Fox, Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball and forward Kyle Kuzma, Atlanta Hawks forward/centre John Collins and guard Trae Young, Memphis Grizzlies forward/centre Jaren Jackson Jr and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

#Each participant on the World Team’s 10-player roster hails from a different country, with four continents represented (North America, Africa, Europe and Australia). The World Team also includes three players who participated as campers in Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme – Ayton (BWB Global 2016), Gilgeous-Alexander (BWB Global 2016) and Markkanen (BWB Europe 2014; BWB Global 2015).

#NBA assistant coaches selected the Rising Stars rosters, with each of the league’s 30 teams submitting one ballot per coaching staff. A ballot consisted of four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players at either position group for each team. Voters also had to choose a minimum of three first-year NBA players and three second-year NBA players for each team. Coaches were not permitted to vote for any player on their team.

#Boston’s Kyrie Irving (US Team) and Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki (World Team) will serve as honorary coaches in MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars.

#The official Rising Stars head coaches will be an assistant coach from each 2019 NBA All-Star Game coaching staff. The All-Star Game coaching staffs are determined by the best record in each conference through games played on Sunday, February 3.

Sacramento guard Buddy Hield. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Friday, January 26, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#MIAMI, Florida — For the second consecutive year, Buddy Hield has an opportunity to represent his franchise and the Bahamas during NBA All-Star Weekend.

#Hield was one of 20 players selected to the rosters of the 2018 Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars, to be hosted Friday, February 16 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

#The game will be broadcast live on TNT and ESPN Radio at 9pm.

#Hield is averaging 12.5 points per game on 44 per cent shooting both from the field and three-point range along with 90 per cent from the free throw line. He was also selected to play in the 2017 contest, then as a rookie and a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

#“It’s just an honour and a blessing to be selected, especially to represent the World team.

#“It just means a lot to be able to show where I came from and represent the Bahamas as well,” Hield said during yesterday’s shoot-around ahead of a matchup with the Miami Heat.

#He scored 24 points, including four three-pointers, dished out one assist and grabbed five rebounds in 29 minutes on the hardwood.

#“The plan is to just go out there and have fun, appreciate the accomplishment, try to win the game and have fun at All-Star Weekend.”

#Hield’s three-point percentage is tied for sixth best in the league among qualified players and he has been quite vocal about his desire to also participate in the JBL 3-Point Contest.

#“You’ve got to go out there and show them why you should be in it, hopefully I can still do something to stand out. If it comes it comes, if not, there will be more years for that,” he said. For the fourth consecutive year, the league’s annual showcase of premier young talent during All-Star Weekend will feature 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the U.S. against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.

#The 24th Rising Stars is the first with Mtn Dew Kickstart as title partner, with the brand expanding the event into a yearlong platform showcasing up-and-coming NBA players.

#The World team includes five rookies and five second year players. The 10 players hail from nine different countries. Joining Hield on the World Team will be his Sacramento Kings’ teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia), All-Star starter Joel Embiid (Cameroon), Dario Saric (Croatia) and Ben Simmons (Australia) of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamal Murray (Canada) of the Denver Nuggets, Dillon Brooks (Canada) of the Memphis Grizzlies, Lauri Markannen (Finland) of the Chicago Bulls, Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) of the Indiana Pacers and Frank Ntilikina (France) of the New York Knicks.

#The U.S. Team features seven rookies and three second year players.

#Headlining the team will be reigning Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon of the Miluwakee Bucks. The remainder of the team includes Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, Dennis Smith Jr of the Dallas Mavericks and Kris Dunn of the Chicago Bulls.

#NBA opening-night rosters for the 2017-18 season featured 108 international players from a record 42 countries and territories. This marked the fourth consecutive season that opening-night rosters included at least 100 international players and that all 30 teams had at least one international player.

#The NBA’s assistant coaches chose the rosters for the Mtn Dew Rising Stars, with each of the league’s 30 teams submitting one ballot per coaching staff. Coaches selected four guards, four frontcourt players and two players at either position group for each team. They also picked a minimum of three first-year players and three second-year players for each team.

Buddy Hield goes up for a dunk during the All-Star Rising Stars game. (AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

Monday, February 19, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#IT was an active weekend for Buddy Hield during the NBA All-Star festivities in Los Angeles, California.

#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 over the weekend.

#The second year Sacramento Kings guard helped the World Team to a 155-124 win over Team USA at the Staples Center Friday night. Hield’s numbers were in MVP contention with 29 points, five made threes, three rebounds and three assists. However, his Kings teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic would go on to win the award. “You know, it was (an) All-Star Game, so it wasn’t like a really competitive game,” Hield said. “But the World has been getting better. I’m proud to see a lot of guys around the world from France, Australia, you have (Joel) Embiid from Cameroon. Everybody is showing progress, and the World is showing progress catching up to American basketball. This shows how hard we’ve been working and how dedicated we are to this game.”

#Hield had a productive two-year run in his eligibility for the game after he scored 28 in the 2017 edition of the game as a rookie with the New Orleans Pelicans.

#The 24th Rising Stars is the first with Mtn Dew Kickstart as title partner, with the brand expanding the event into a yearlong platform showcasing up-and-coming NBA players.

#The World team included five rookies and five second year players. The 10 players hail from nine different countries. Joining Hield and Bogdanovic on the World Team were All-Star starter Joel Embiid (Cameroon), Dario Saric (Croatia) and Ben Simmons (Australia) of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamal Murray (Canada) of the Denver Nuggets, Dillon Brooks (Canada) of the Memphis Grizzlies, Lauri Markannen (Finland) of the Chicago Bulls, Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) of the Indiana Pacers and Frank Ntilikina (France) of the New York Knicks.

#The US Team featured seven rookies and three second year players.

#Headlining the team was reigning Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks.

#The remainder of the team included Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, Dennis Smith Jr of the Dallas Mavericks and Kris Dunn of the Chicago Bulls.

#Hield was also a late addition to the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. Hield went head-to-head with eventual champion Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets, but missed the three-pointer on the obstacle course.

#“We had a good game plan. I just didn’t make the shot, an easy one. I was ahead. It’s all good though.” Hield said.

#“It was good, it was fun. Something you didn’t believe would happen in your lifetime, so embrace it and thank God for me being here. I had fun doing it, I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

#The Taco Bell Skills Challenge consisted of Hield, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets and Lou Williams of the LA Clippers as the guards in the eight-player field.

#The big men in the competition included NBA All-Star Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, All-Star Al Horford of the Boston Celtics, rookie Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls and defending champion and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons.

#Hield is averaging 12.5 points (.437 field goal percentage, .425 three-point percentage and 873 three throw percentage), 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 23.7 minutes per game in 55 contests (started 11) in his second season.

#He leads Sacramento with 114 three-pointers made and is tied for ninth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Buddy Hield

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Sacramento Kings front office continues to make transactions that indicate uncertainty about Buddy Hield’s role with the organisation moving forward.

#The Kings signed restricted free agent guard Zach LaVine to a four-year $78 million offer sheet, however, the Chicago Bulls matched the offer within the 48-hour restricted time period to keep Lavine on the Bulls roster.

#Had the Bulls not matched the offer sheet, the richest guaranteed non-max deal of the summer thus far, LaVine would have given the Kings a fourth shooting guard along with Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Garrett Temple.

#The moves came off an offseason of speculation and Hield addressed the rumours last month when he hosted “Bucket Night with Buddy Hield” at Southmoore High School in Oklahoma.

#“People start stuff. Sometimes it starts from a fan, and then it keeps getting egged on,” Hield said to CNHI Sports Oklahoma. “If I get traded, I’ll go to that city, wherever, and I’ll be blessed to still be in the NBA. As long as I have a job, I’m fine with that. But I don’t worry about trade talks. Once I get a call, and they say I’m traded, then I’ll worry about it.”

#At the time, Hield was responding to reports that the Kings were considering drafting Slovakian guard Luka Doncic with the second overall pick.

#Hield 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. He started just 13 of his 80 appearances in his second season.

#Hield was relegated to the bench after Bogdanovic took over the role as the team’s starting shooting guard for the remainder of the season.

#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 at the marquee event for the league’s second and first year players.

#Hield’s numbers were in MVP contention with 29 points, five made threes, three rebounds and three assists.

#However, Bogdanovic would go on to win the award.

#Vlade Divac, Kings general manager, announced that the team exercised its 2018-19 option on the second year shooting guard. Hield was the No.6 pick of the 2016 Draft and projected salary for the 2018-19 season is at just over $3.8 million. Hield played 57 games with the New Orleans Pelicans before he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in February 2017. In 25 games for the Kings to conclude the 2016-17 season, Hield made 18 starts and averaged 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and 42 per cent shooting from three-point range. On the season he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds on 42 per cent shooting from the field and 39 per cent from three-point range. He finished 4th in 3-point and free throw percentage, 8th in field goal percentage and 11th in rebounding among all rookies.

#Hield was named to the 2016-17 NBA All-Rookie First Team

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield. (file photo)

By Renaldo Dorsett

Friday, September 25, 2020

#The trade rumours surrounding “Buddy” Hield have recently ramped up on social media, but the new general manager of the Sacramento Kings revealed no immediate plans to move the Bahamian shooting guard.

#Kings GM Monte McNair singled out “Buddy” Hield at his introductory press conference to the franchise.

#McNair said that Hield is an “elite shooter” and his spacing is important for the team. McNair also made it clear that he wants Sacramento to up the pace next year.

#Hield has been the subject of trade rumours since the Kings’ season ended and his recent social media activity has seen those talks increase.

#The Instagram account Embiidfeed reposted a tweet from The Hoop Central which stated that the 76ers have expressed trade interest in Hield (via Legion Hoops Ross).

#Hield was tagged in the post and followed by liking the post. When a user commented “Trust the Process”, Hield replied “big facts.”

#Several NBA blogs and media outlets picked up the activity on the potential trade after it was interpreted as a pro-76ers comment.

#A possibly tenuous situation between Hield and the Kings front office this offseason begun during his exit interview.

#Following the Kings’ regular season finale, Hield spoke with reporters on several topics, most noteworthy was his reply when asked whether he would be content to continue his role off the bench next season.

#“Y’all know me, y’all know how I talk, y’all know how I feel with a lot of stuff, y’all can read me well, so I’ll let y’all answer that for yourselves,” Hield said.

#Hield played sparingly in several of Sacramento’s seeding games, including a season low 11 minutes in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged just 14.3 points per game on 43 per cent field-goal shooting in Orlando.

#“I just have to work on my game, stay locked in, focused on what I got to do and just remember where I came from, what got me here in the league and how I can stick around for a long time,” Hield said.

#Just days after Hield’s comments, both Kings general manager Vlade Divac and assistant general manager Peja Stojakovic resigned from their roles in the organisation.

#Joe Dumars will take over as interim executive vice president of basketball operations.

#Hield’s development was one of the many issues Divac discussed with the Sacramento Bee following his resignation. “He didnt like the role he was in. I support his feeling…he has to look in the mirror and see what he does right and does wrong,” Divac said.

#“He is an elite shooter….but he has to provide that (more consistently). He has to do a better job defensively.”

#In 72 games this season, Hield averaged 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and three assists per game. He shot 43 per cent from the field and 39 per cent from three-point range.

#He started 44 games this season before he was moved to the bench in favour of Bogdan Bogdanovic on January 24.

#The Kings went 13-7 once Hield moved to the bench, prior to the league’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

#Last November, Hield concluded his contract negotiations with the Kings and reached the most lucrative deal ever signed by any Bahamian athlete when he agreed to a four-year, $94 million contract extension.

#During the same time period, the Kings offered Bogdanovic a four-year, $51 million deal which remains unsigned.

#Third year point guard De’Aaron Fox will be eligible for his max extension next year and 2018s second overall pick, Bagley, the following year.

FREEDOM Farm Baseball League, representing the Bahamas at the Caribbean Regional Qualifying Tournament for the Little League World Series in Puerto Rico, lost its third straight game but maintains the fourth position in the standings, advancing to the playoff round.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#FREEDOM Farm Baseball League lost its third consecutive game at the Caribbean Regional Qualifying Tournament for the Little League World Series but maintains the fourth position in the standings and advanced to the playoff round.

#The Farmers suffered a 4-3 loss on a walk-off hit from Aruba’s Daniel Werlenman yesterday in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

#The Bahamas took an early 3-1 lead, but left runners in scoring position on second and third in the third inning.

#Aruba had runners on second and third in their half, but Brian Johnson struck out two batters. What looked like a sure out turned into a throwing error and Aruba scored two runs to tie the game.

#Participating teams in the event include defending Caribbean champions Los Bravos de Pontezuela (Santiago, Dominican Republic), Aruba Center (Santa Cruz, Aruba), Pabao (Willemstad, Curacao), Radames Lopez (Guayama, Puerto Rico A), Gino Vega (Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico B) and District 1 (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands).

#The winner of the tournament will advance to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

#Freedom Farm finished the preliminary round with a 3-3 record and will face the tournament’s top team Radames Lopez (6-0) today at 1pm.

#In the first matchup against Radames Lopez, the Bahamas suffered a 7-4 loss in the first game of Tuesday’s double header.Pabao (4-2) and Aruba Center (4-2) will face each other in the other semi-final at 10am.

#Freedom Farm earned the rights to represent the Bahamas after they were declared the winner of the Bahamas Baseball Association’s National Championships that was played recently at the Emera Baseball Stadium in Grand Bahama.

Friday, July 20, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE run for the Bahamas and Freedom Farm Baseball League came to an end in the semi-finals at the Caribbean Regional Qualifier for the Little League World Series.

#Freedom Farm suffered a 3-0 loss to the tournament’s number one seed – Radames Lopez Little League of Puerto Rico – yesterday at the Quintin Hernandez Park in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

#Andru Arthur had 10 strikeouts on the mound for Freedom Farm in the loss. They will now face Aruba for the bronze medal at 10am today.

#Puerto Rico will go on face Curacao in today’s final at 1pm. Curacao defeated Aruba 5-2 in the other semi-final. The winner will advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, next month.

#Participating teams in the event include defending Caribbean champions Los Bravos de Pontezuela (Santiago, Dominican Republic), Aruba Center (Santa Cruz, Aruba), Pabao (Willemstad, Curacao), Radames Lopez (Guayama, Puerto Rico A), Gino Vega (Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico B) and District 1 (St Thomas, US Virgin Islands).

#Freedom Farm earned the rights to represent the Bahamas after they were declared the winner of the Bahamas Baseball Association’s National Championships that was played recently at the Emera Baseball Stadium in Grand Bahama.

#After opening the tournament with three consecutive wins, the Bahamas is now in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

#In game one, Freedom Farm defeated the team from the Dominican Republic 3-2 and followed with a 10-3 win over Gino Vega LL. They improved to 3-0 with a dominant 13-2 win over District 1 LL of the US Virgin Islands. They suffered their first loss of the tournament in their earlier meeting against Radames Lopez LL 7-4 in the first game of a double header, followed by a 10-9 loss to Pabao. The Farmers then suffered a 4-3 loss on a walk-off hit from Aruba, but maintained fourth position in the standings and advanced to the semi-final.

Friday, July 20, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE run for the Bahamas and Freedom Farm Baseball League came to an end in the semi-finals at the Caribbean Regional Qualifier for the Little League World Series.

#Freedom Farm suffered a 3-0 loss to the tournament’s number one seed – Radames Lopez Little League of Puerto Rico – yesterday at the Quintin Hernandez Park in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

#Andru Arthur had 10 strikeouts on the mound for Freedom Farm in the loss. They will now face Aruba for the bronze medal at 10am today.

#Puerto Rico will go on face Curacao in today’s final at 1pm. Curacao defeated Aruba 5-2 in the other semi-final. The winner will advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, next month.

#Participating teams in the event include defending Caribbean champions Los Bravos de Pontezuela (Santiago, Dominican Republic), Aruba Center (Santa Cruz, Aruba), Pabao (Willemstad, Curacao), Radames Lopez (Guayama, Puerto Rico A), Gino Vega (Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico B) and District 1 (St Thomas, US Virgin Islands).

#Freedom Farm earned the rights to represent the Bahamas after they were declared the winner of the Bahamas Baseball Association’s National Championships that was played recently at the Emera Baseball Stadium in Grand Bahama.

#After opening the tournament with three consecutive wins, the Bahamas is now in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

#In game one, Freedom Farm defeated the team from the Dominican Republic 3-2 and followed with a 10-3 win over Gino Vega LL. They improved to 3-0 with a dominant 13-2 win over District 1 LL of the US Virgin Islands. They suffered their first loss of the tournament in their earlier meeting against Radames Lopez LL 7-4 in the first game of a double header, followed by a 10-9 loss to Pabao. The Farmers then suffered a 4-3 loss on a walk-off hit from Aruba, but maintained fourth position in the standings and advanced to the semi-final.

FREEDOM Farm Baseball League’s under-12 team is expected to compete in the Cal Ripken Baseball World Series at BallParks of Americas Field in Branson, Missouri, this weekend.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#FREEDOM Farm Baseball League will continue its summer of international competition in the Under-12 division.

#The team is set to compete in the Cal Ripken Baseball World Series (Major/70) August 3-11 at BallParks of Americas Field in Branson, Missouri.

#They will take on Australia at 3pm on August 4, followed by a matchup against New Zealand at 3pm August 6 and the final game of the preliminary round against Puerto Rico at 3pm on August 7.

#The Bahamas is one of 24 teams competing in the division and one of just 10 international teams alongside the aforementioned teams in their pool with Korea, Japan, Canada and Dominican Republic.

#Major 70 is a level of baseball beyond Little League but before professional that allows players to play on 70-foot base paths with a 50-foot pitching distance. It also allows runners to take leads and steal for the first time, playing mainly by official baseball rules.

#This innovation helped to prepare the youth for better transition to the 90-foot diamonds of the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15 and 16-18 divisions of play.

#Today, Babe Ruth League has more than 1,000,000 players on 56,000 teams in 9,000 leagues in eight countries and all 50 states.

#Just over a week ago Freedom Farm closed out competition at the Caribbean Regional Qualifier for the Little League World Series with an historic finish for the Bahamas. The team claimed the bronze medal at the event with a 6-1 win over Aruba at the tournament in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

#Participating teams in the event included Los Bravos de Pontezuela (Santiago, Dominican Republic), Aruba Center (Santa Cruz, Aruba), Pabao (Willemstad, Curacao), Radames Lopez (Guayama, Puerto Rico A), Gino Vega (Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico B) and District 1 (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands).

#Radames Lopez won the tournament 5-2 over Pabao and will represent the Caribbean at the Little League World Series August 16-26 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

#They completed the tournament undefeated at 8-0. It will be the first time a Puerto Rican side has represented the region in the event since 2014.

#After opening the tournament with three consecutive wins, the Bahamas suffered a four-game losing streak before concluding with the win in the bronze-medal game.