Pacers Roy Hibbert wants to play for USA; Requests Jamaica Basketball Association for release: NBA
Roy Hibbert, the 7 feet 2 inches centre of the Indiana Pacers, has asked the basketball governing body of his home country Jamaica, to release him from his duties as a national player so he can play for the U.S team in the Summer Olympics in London this year.
This was revealed by Ajani Williams, President of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA) in an interview with the ‘The Gleaner’ yesterday.
“He (Hibbert's agent) said they were grateful to us for having him playing with our team because he has a shot at playing with Team USA and so they would like JaBA to release him from the national team” said Williams.
The issue will take some time to resolve as there will be communications with the U.S Basketball Association and FIBA to understand the prerequisites of such a request and to meet the requirements. The U.S basketball Association may also want to check with the International Olympic Committee whether there is any limitation or rule against such a move as they would not want Hibbert to be available to play and be selected, and then later limited by the IOC from playing.
"Our simple response was that we can't just handle this matter from JaBA to the player or from JaBA to the agent, and so on, it has to be from JaBA to the USA Basketball Federation” added Williams.
“The United States Federation would need to write us and state that they want this player, and at that point JaBA can speak directly to the federation and FIBA, based on the player transferring from one national team to another” said Williams.
Hibbert has had a tremendous season with the Pacers, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. He has been a critical factor behind the Pacers success this season, with them finishing in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. Hibbert gave a stellar performance just yesterday in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi Final clash against the Miami Heat. He scored 19 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and made five blocks in the win.
The US Basketball Association has been in a fix ever since Orlando Magic star centre Dwight Howard decided to go for season ending back surgery and made himself unavailable for the Olympics. He was their regular starting centre and in his absence, current ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks has been tipped to be the starting centre.
However, there are not enough people to back him up. In desperation, the USBA added college star Anthony Davis into their list of Olympic probables. Davis, a power forward, played for Kentucky Wildcats this year and led his team to the NCAA championship. He is tipped to be the #1 Draft Pick this season in the NBA Draft.
Hibbert, if available, can provide the necessary backup to the U.S Olympic team at the centre position. His home country will however not be too pleased with releasing him as their own hopes of competing in the upcoming Central American Basketball Championship next month will be in jeopardy. Hibbert was also an integral part of the Jamaican team and a sudden departure would leave their team unprepared.
"JaBA just can't just release him because there was a cost that goes into getting Roy Hibbert. We paid a lot of money for NBA insurance for him. We also did a lot of things around him, and so there are going to be several considerations before JaBA releases him” added Williams.
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