Jamaican basketball prospect Triston McDonald is embracing a season of opportunity and growth as he prepares for two pivotal events: the prestigious Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Americas camp in El Salvador from May 30 to June 2, and the FIBA CentroBasket U17 Championships from July 16 to 20.
The Atlanta-based 17-year-old, listed at 189.23cm (6'2½"), is set to represent Jamaica for the third time at the FIBA regional tournament. His selection for BWB Americas, a platform known for launching the careers of elite international players, underscores his rising profile.
“I want to improve my play with the team and get better at playing with different players from around the world,” McDonald told SportsMax.TV. “I also want to work on my passing abilities and getting others involved.”
While the BWB camp offers a chance to learn from NBA and FIBA coaches and compete against top peers from the Americas, McDonald’s primary focus is on his leadership and on-court communication—qualities he believes are crucial to his growth.
“Leadership—using my voice, being more vocal, telling people where to go on the court—that’s something I’m working on a lot,” he said.
McDonald will also be a key figure for Jamaica at the U17 CentroBasket Championships, where the team will aim to improve on consecutive sixth-place finishes. His statistics from the 2023 tournament already showed a significant leap, averaging nearly 13 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
“I think if I play more with my team, get my assists up, and score more, we’ll have a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup next year,” he said confidently.
Since 2023, McDonald has been sharpening his game at The Skill Factory (TSF) in Georgia, training daily with older teammates in a rigorous environment. His routine includes focused ball-handling drills, shooting sessions targeting 300 makes per day, and live game simulations that mirror real competition.
“I train every day. From 10:50 to 11, it’s straight ball handling, and from 11 to 1, we do 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 live reps,” McDonald explained. “I’ve also been working on my leadership so I can play more of a point guard role.”
Already holding an offer from NCAA Division 1 school University of Tulsa, McDonald is hoping this summer will elevate his recruitment prospects. But beyond basketball, his connection to Jamaica remains central to his journey.
“Jamaica is very dear to my heart. I love the energy, the food, the people—everything,” he said. “I always wear my Jamaican colours with pride, and when I travel for basketball, I make sure people know who I’m representing.”
McDonald’s chemistry with longtime friend and teammate DMarley Elliot, who is also expected to join the U17 team, adds further promise to Jamaica’s hopes this summer.
“If me and him do what we’re supposed to do, I think we can make it far,” McDonald said.
As he prepares to take the next step, McDonald is keeping his goals clear: play high-major NCAA basketball and, eventually, make it to the professional ranks—ideally the NBA.