Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert (55) is fouled by San Antonio Spurs centre Frabricio Oberto (right) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio last season. According to JBA president Ajani Williams, Hibbert could represent Jamaica. - File

Jamaica's national basketball team, the Caribbean champions, could very soon get a major boost by the addition of a potential future star in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

According to Ajani Williams, president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA), Roy Hibbert, the 23-year-old starting centre for the Indiana Pacers basketball franchise, has Jamaican lineage and could very soon don the national colours.

The seven-foot-two, 278-pound player graduated from Georgetown University in 2008 and was selected 17th in the NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. He signed his rookie deal for US$1.2 million and was acquired by the Pacers in a multi-player deal for Jermaine Oneal.

Expressed interest

Williams, himself a former NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks, said Hibbert has expressed an interest in playing for Jamaica and he (Williams) is going to be doing what is necessary to ensure that Hibbert gets his wish.

Williams

Williams revealed to The Gleaner that Hibbert's agent, David Faulk, who also represents basketball icon Michael Jordan, called him recently to express his client's wishes.

However, there are some compliance issues that have to be worked out with USA Basketball and the world governing body, FIBA.

Hibbert was the starting centre for the United States at the 2007 Pan American Games, Williams said.

The JABA president reveals that he is about to send off letters to the respective bodies, making a case why they should allow Hibbert to represent Jamaica. He feels the JBA has a strong case, especially since Hibbert has expressed the desire to represent Jamaica.

Should the way be cleared for Hibbert to represent Jamaica, Williams argues, it would make Jamaica a major force as they attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

Improved chances

Williams explains that Hibbert, US collegians and future NBA prospects Samardo Samuels and Jerome Jordan, who also represent Jamaica, in addition to the existing crop of players, would significantly improve Jamaica's chances of doing well in international competition.

"He would add size and length to the front court, but he is not only big, he has talent," Williams said of Hibbert.

He added that all the national team would need is a really good point guard to make the team even stronger. He hinted that Patrick Ewing Jr, the son of NBA and the New York Knicks legend, would be one such potential candidate. Patrick Ewing is Jamaican by birth.

"It would be history in the making," Williams said.

There would also be a financial upside to adding a player of Hibbert's calibre, Williams reveals. His mere presence in the team would improve the team's chances of attracting between US$500,000 and US$1million from sponsors. The money, he said, would go directly into the national basketball programme.