Amen, Ausar Thompson Considering Playing For Jamaican National Team

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar, have begun the process of acquiring Jamaican citizenship. The two can become citizens because their father is Jamaican. This would allow the Thompson twins to play for Jamaica on the national team level.

Jamaica has reportedly secured a commitment from Norman Powell of the LA Clippers to play in upcoming FIBA events. The Jamaican national team is also recruiting Nick Richards of the Phoenix Suns, Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons and Josh Minott of the Minnesota Timberwolves to play for the team as well.

Amen Thompson plays for the Houston Rockets in the NBA, while Ausar Thompson suits up for the Detroit Pistons. Both players are already considered top perimeter defenders and rising stars in the NBA.

Via Daniel Blake/Jamaica Observer

[jk31]

how would this work? fiba only allows one naturalized Player on the team.

[Cyclonus12]

how would this work? fiba only allows one naturalized Player on the team.

They wouldn't be considered naturalized... they'd be acquiring American / Jamaican dual citizenship. FIBA rules are not exactly clear on that... however, the FIBA secretary general also has the power to make exceptions or allow players whose nationality is questionable to play on teams, pretty much at his discretion.

Because of the historical dominance the US has long held in basketball, this kind of thing is often allowed, in order to allow some decent players to play on teams that would otherwise be full of scrubs, and also to allow quality American players to participate in international competition, even though they probably wouldn't get onto the US national team.

[dodongo]

this kind of thing is often allowed, in order to allow some decent players to play on teams that would otherwise be full of scrubs, and also to allow quality American players to participate in international competition, even though they probably wouldn't get onto the US national team.

The Philippines is a basketball-crazy nation, but our national team often struggles on the international stage. While there’s a pool of talented players with Filipino heritage—some even playing in the NBA or Division 1 college basketball—they can’t always suit up as locals. According to FIBA rules, only those who secured a Philippine passport before turning 16 are eligible as local players. Others, even if they qualify for citizenship through jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline), are only eligible under the limited "naturalized" slot. This restriction affects players like Jalen Green, Jordan Clarkson, Ron Harper Jr., and possibly Jared McCain, who could boost our roster but don't qualify as locals under current regulations.