Captain Kentan Facey and the big centre Kofi Coburn will be missing from Jamaica’s team line up, when the Jamaican male basketbalers engage the Bahamas in the return leg match up of the FIBA Americas 2027 World Cup qualifiers this Friday at the Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in the Bahamas. 

Facey is recovering from surgery and was unable to make the trip, while Cockburn will not be in the line up as did not make himself available,

The coaching staff led by Rick Turner, has since included the former St Jago high school centre Chevaughn Thompson who plays in the Serbian Pro league to replace Cockburn.

This highly anticipated group B reverse fixture is crucial for both nations as they push to advance in the qualifiers.

The Jamrockerz lost the first leg against Bahamas back in February, going down 99-96 at the national indoor sports centre, where guard Chase Audige led the way with 27 points, while Cockburn added 20 points and Tyran de Lattibeaudiere also contributed 15 points.

Jamaica currently sits second in group B on 6 points, just behind leaders Canada (8 points). 

The Bahamas sits in  fourth place with 5 points and to keep their world cup dreams alive, Jamaica needs to finish in the top three of their group to advance to the next round of 12 teams.