With a robust investment from Restaurants of Jamaica Limited, the 2024 Jamaican Basketball Association Star Search Basketball and Life Skills Camp soared to new heights, attracting increased participation from young basketball enthusiasts and drawing attention from international scouts. This initiative, designed to identify and nurture emerging basketball talent, brought together hundreds of Jamaica’s youth for a memorable week-long camp, culminating last Friday at the G.C Foster College in St. Catherine.
KFC's significant contribution—JMD $2 million in cash and JMD$1 million in meal sponsorship—enabled young athletes to benefit from the expertise of seasoned coaches while exploring opportunities for scholarships to study and play overseas, potentially paving their way to professional basketball careers at the highest level.
Among the standout participants, Joel Ricketts of Wolmer’s Boys and Bri’an Barrow of Immaculate Conception High were honored with the camp’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. “It was an exciting experience,” Ricketts said. “I never expected to earn this award but I put my best foot forward and ensured I had fun at every step of the way.”
International scouts, who regularly attend the camp to identify new talent, were equally impressed. Chief Scout Mark Cooke, based in the U.S., remarked, “The level of talent here is phenomenal. These young athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. It’s been a privilege to work with them and help them reach their potential.”
KFC’s sponsorship has delivered immediate benefits to the camp participants and has also made a significant impact on the broader community. By supporting initiatives like the Star Search Basketball Programme, KFC is paving the way for young athletes to achieve their dreams and build brighter futures.
Andrei Roper, Marketing Manager at Restaurants of Jamaica, expressed his enthusiasm for the camp’s success. "We're grateful for another fantastic year of Star Search. This program is near and dear to our hearts at KFC as we are dedicated to developing Jamaica's youth and shaping them for greatness. We continue to see the amazing talent that Jamaica has to offer in basketball. We share the Jamaica Basketball Association's vision of creating well-rounded individuals who contribute both on and off the court."
Roper also highlighted the camp’s dual focus on basketball and life skills. "It's not just a basketball camp; it’s also a life skills camp. We are proud to provide campers with knowledge and resources that will benefit them during the camp, in the sport of basketball, and beyond," he added.
The Star Search camp has produced notable talent, including former Cleveland Cavaliers player Samardo Samuels and current Charlotte Hornets player Nick Richards. This legacy underscores the camp's role in shaping the future of Jamaican basketball.
Shiann Salmon returns to her roots to rediscover her best with stunning win in Zurich
Jamaica’s Shiann Salmon has rediscovered her best form after returning to train at home, and it’s paying off in spectacular fashion. Salmon, who has been a consistent force in the 400m hurdles this season, clocked a lifetime best of 52.97 seconds to win her first-ever Diamond League race in Zurich last Friday. This remarkable achievement not only secured her spot among the elite but also marked a significant personal milestone, as she became just the fifth Jamaican woman in history to break the 53-second barrier in the event.
After graduating from Hydel High and spending a year at GC Foster College, Salmon ventured overseas to train with Tonja Buford, a US Olympic medalist turned coach. However, after a few seasons in the United States, Salmon felt the American environment was making her "soft" and unmotivated, which led to her bold decision last season to return to Jamaica to train under renowned coach Maurice Wilson at the Sprintec Track Club.
“I don’t feel as if I ever needed to ‘justify’ doing something that I felt was for my best interest. However, I felt like the American lifestyle/system was never meant for me. I think I got a bit complacent and soft, so I returned to my roots,” Salmon explained.
That decision has clearly paid off. Salmon has shown remarkable consistency this season, first setting a lifetime best of 53.13 in the Olympic final in Paris and consistently racing close to that mark in the lead-up to Zurich. But in Zurich, she finally broke through the elusive 53-second barrier, achieving her goal for the season.
“I was thrilled. My overall aim for the remainder of the season was to break the 53 seconds barrier, so I was beyond happy when I realized that I had done so,” Salmon said. “I’m currently the fifth Jamaican woman to do so. I feel exhilarated, top 5 all-time is a big accomplishment and I’m grateful.”
Reflecting on her performances before Zurich, Salmon felt her breakthrough was imminent. “Yes, I definitely felt it coming. My body is now used to running low 53s. My coach and I already predicted it, it was just a matter of me executing the races properly,” she shared.
Only four other Jamaican women—Deon Hemmings, Melaine Walker, Kaliese Spencer, and Rushell Clayton—have ever broken the 53-second mark in the 400m hurdles. Now, Salmon joins that exclusive club, cementing her status as one of the best in the world.
Looking ahead, Salmon is focused on finishing her season on a high. She will contest the Diamond League final in Brussels, with her sights set on another sub-53 performance. “My ultimate aim is to finish the season with another 52 performance. Anything else that comes with that is a bonus,” Salmon concluded.
With her decision to return to Jamaica proving to be the right move, Salmon’s resurgence has her poised to continue breaking barriers and reaching new heights in the 400m hurdles.
Sky rookie Reese out for season with wrist injury
Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese will miss the rest of the WNBA season with a wrist injury.
Reese was listed as questionable on the Sky’s latest injury report heading into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Wings.
“What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol,” Reese wrote. “Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so.”
Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 draft after a stellar career at LSU, finishes the season averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds - the highest rebound average in league history. Reese also set the rookie record with 26 double-doubles - her last coming in a win over Los Angeles on Friday night.
Earlier in the season, Reese had 15 straight games with a double-double to break the league's record. She also set the mark for total rebounds in a season, passing Sylvia Fowles' mark.
Nuggets sign Jamal Murray to $208M max extension
The Denver Nuggets and star guard Jamal Murray have agreed to a four-year, $208million max contract extension, multiple media outlets reported Saturday.
Murray had been scheduled to be a free agent next offseason but will now earn a total of $244million through the 2028-29 season.
Murray, 27, has emerged as the primary sidekick to three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and helped the Nuggets win the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023.
Since returning from a torn ACL that cost him the 2021-22 season, Murray has emerged as one of the premier perimeter scorers in the NBA and a seamless fit with Jokic.
Murray averaged 21.2 points and 6.5 assists last season while shooting a career-high 42.5 percent from 3-point range.
Over 469 career games, all with Denver, Murray has averaged 17.5 points and 4.5 assists.
Murray has two 50-point play-off games and has averaged 24.2 points over 65 career post-season games.
The offseason spending of the Nuggets’ front office has become a controversial topic since they elected not to re-sign Bruce Brown and Jeff Green after winning the 2023 championship. This offseason, starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left in free agency to sign with the Orlando Magic.
With several veteran role-players leaving over the last two seasons, the Nuggets will rely even more on the two-man game between Murray and Jokić, as well as younger players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson.
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