- Klay Thompson could potentially suit up for the Bahamas in next year’s Olympics
- Klay’s father Mychal Thompson is a Bahamian
- Mychal gave a vague response when asked about his son representing the Bahamas
The Bahamas have booked their spot in the Qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and they could potentially soon add Klay Thompson to their ranks. Klay’s father Mychal is a Bahamian, and he was recently asked by NBA insider Marc Stein about his son representing the country.
“When I asked him specifically about Klay’s international future, Mychal Thompson kept it to a coy ‘we’ll see,'” Stein wrote.
Klay has represented Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, but he could play for the Bahamas.
For that to happen, the U.S. would have to release the 33-year-old, and FIBA would allow the switch as he is joining a developing national team program which is seen as in the best interest of basketball.
We recently saw Eric Gordon do this and he became the Bahamas’ “naturalized” player. You’re only allowed one such player, though, so they’d have to choose between Gordon and Klay should the latter agree to represent them.
Gordon was integral in the Bahamas going 4-0 in the pre-qualifiers, but Klay is obviously the better player. The Golden State Warriors guard averaged 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in the 2022-23 season and would be a great addition.
Three Other NBA Players Could Also Suit Up For The Bahamas
Klay isn’t the only NBA player in the mix here. Stein revealed that Evan Mobley, his brother Isaiah, and Naz Reid could also be playing for the Bahamas.
“The Cleveland duo of Evan and Isaiah Mobley and Minnesota’s Naz Reid all have Bahamian eligibility,” Stein wrote. “Evan Mobley presumably has aspirations to play for USA Basketball in the future after playing for the United States in two top junior competitions already, but word is that The Bahamas could explore the availability of all three to join the squad that tries to secure an Olympic berth in last-chance qualifying next summer.”
If these three secured Bahamian passports before they were 16, they wouldn’t come under the “naturalized” category and could all join the team. If they do, and let’s say the whole Klay situation doesn’t pan out, the Bahamas could still have a very good team.
A frontcourt of Deandre Ayton and Evan Mobley would be quite impressive, and having Reid off the bench would be huge as well. Buddy Hield and Gordon give them some firepower from the guard slots, and this team could make some noise in Paris.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
