Patrick Ewing Jr. is willing to do something his legendary father never did - play for the Jamaican national team. Although born in Kingston, the former New York Knicks centre represented the USA internationally, but now his son, who was born in the United States, wants to honour his roots. The 25-year-old's agency informed the Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association of his desire to play for the country this summer in Centrobasket (5-11 July). There are some concerns about Ewing's physical condition, as he hasn't played since last season with a knee injury. However, his agency assures he's fit and added that the forward will probably sign with an NBA team next season.
A product of Indiana University, Ewing played also for the Georgetown University and last season was with the NBDL's Reno Bighorns, averaging 16.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. His NBA rights are owned by the Knicks.
Ewing is just the latest expected addition to the national team, as
Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert is already undergoing the process to wear the Jamaican jersey and Justin Leith, currently in Argentina, is the next target.
(Patrick Ewing Jr. está disposto a fazer algo que o seu lendário pai nunca fez - alinhar pela selecção da Jamaica. Embora tenha nascido em Kingston, o antigo poste dos New York Knicks representou os EUA internacionalmente, mas o seu filho, que nasceu nos Estados Unidos, pretende honrar as suas raízes. A agência do jogador, de 25 anos, informou a Associação Jamaicana de Basquetebol Amador do seu desejo de jogar pela Jamaica, este Verão, no Centrobasket (5-11 de Julho). Existem algumas preocupações relativamente à condição física de Ewing, uma vez que não compete desde a época passada, na sequência de uma lesão no joelho. No entanto, a sua agência garante que estará em forma e acrescentou que assinará, provavelmente, por uma equipa da NBA na próxima temporada.
Formado na Universidade de Indiana, Ewing jogou também na Universidade de Georgetown e, na época transacta, esteve ao serviço dos Reno Bighorns, da NBDL, onde obteve médias de 16,8 pontos, 8,9 ressaltos, 3,1 assistências e 1,3 desarmes por jogo. Os seus direitos na NBA são detidos pelo Knicks.
Ewing é apenas a mais recente "aquisição" da selecção, uma vez que
o processo de Roy Hibbert, dos Indiana Pacers, já se encontra em andamento e Justin Leith, actualmente na Argentina, é o próximo alvo.)
Source (Fonte): jamaica-gleaner.com
Patrick Ewing Jr. is willing to do something his legendary father never did - play for the Jamaican national team. Although born in Kingston, the former New York Knicks centre represented the USA internationally, but now his son, who was born in the United States, wants to honour his roots. The 25-year-old's agency informed the Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association of his desire to play for the country this summer in Centrobasket (5-11 July). There are some concerns about Ewing's physical condition, as he hasn't played since last season with a knee injury. However, his agency assures he's fit and added that the forward will probably sign with an NBA team next season.
Jamaica national team could have a stronger inside position in the future with the inclusion of NBA player Roy Hibbert. Due to having ancestors from the island, the Indiana Pacers centre expressed his wish to represent Jamaica after being approached by the president of the Jamaican federation. However, since Hibbert already played for the United States in the 2007 Pan American games, a special procedure to be worked out with USA Basketball and FIBA will have to take place.
