[TalkBasket] Klay Thompson to "seriously consider" possibility of joining Bahamian national basketball team because of his father

“When that time comes, I will give it serious consideration just because of what The Bahamas meant to the Thompson family, especially my father,” Thompson said as he and Kevon Looney landed in the Philippines for the final stop of the ANTA World Tour.

His father and former NBA No. 1 overall pick, Mychal Thompson, has a proud Bahamian blood. This ultimately makes Thompson an intriguing, probable reinforcement of the Bahamas squad that targets a coveted basketball seat in next year’s Paris Olympics.

“He never had a chance to play for the national team because they just didn’t have the chance back in the ’70s or the ’80s,” Klay said of his father. “Now my brother [Mychel] is coaching with them which is also very cool.

“But right now, I’m really focused on the [upcoming 2023-24 NBA] season. But when that time comes next summer, I’ll give it consideration.”

The Bahamas conquered last week’s Olympic Pre-Qualifiers of the Americas, sweeping the entire contest with might and dominance. Powered by Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield, and Eric Gordon – whose cutting of the international play ties with the United States was granted by FIBA – the Bahamians exited the tournament with an unblemished record, pocketing one of the five Olympic Qualifier tickets as they joined Bahrain, Poland, Cameroon, Croatia, and the other 19 yet-to-be-determined nations based on the future results of the ongoing World Cup tourney in Manila, Okinawa, and Jakarta.

Thompson expressed his delight that The Bahamas were able to dismantle hoops powerhouse and the FIBA No. 4 nation Argentina en route to the nation’s biggest win thus far in national program history.

“When it comes to the Bahamian basketball, I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished in the past few weeks especially Chris De Marco, Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton, Eric Gordon, and the rest of the Bahamians,” said the four-time NBA champion.

“Those guys had the biggest win in our country’s history as far as beating Argentina twice on their home soil. [It’s] not an easy task. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world, and it’s just gonna do wonders for the country.”

Link: https://www.talkbasket.net/171078-klay-thompson-to-seriously-consider-joining-bahamian-hoops-squad-honor-fathers-dream