Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson in Manila. –ARNEL TACSON/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Klay Thompson may not be competing on the world stage in the ongoing 2023 Fiba World Cup, but that may not be the case soon.
But should Thompson suit up in a national team jersey, it may not be for Team USA, which he played for in 2014 and 2016.
For the 2024 Olympics, Thompson said he may suit up for the Bahamas if the opportunity arises.
“When that time comes I will give it serious consideration just because of what the Bahamas meant to the Thompson family, especially my father,” said Thompson who is in Manila with teammate Kevon Looney for the Anta Squad Asia Tour at Peninsula Manila on Thursday.
“He never had a chance to play for the national team ‘cause they just didn’t have the chance back in the ’70s or the ’80s and now my brother’s coaching with them which is also very cool. Right now, though, [I’m] really focused on the (NBA) season but when that time comes next summer I’ll give it consideration.”
Thompson may have played for the USA before but his father Mychal is of Bahamian descent, making him eligible to suit up for the national team.
However, complications may come up as the USA would need to release him in order for the Bahamas to completely recruit him.
One of Thompson’s possible factors in switching to the Bahamas is his pride in the country’s basketball team.
“When it comes to Bahamian basketball, I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished in the past few weeks especially Chris DeMarco, Buddy Hield, DeAndre Ayton, Eric Gordon and the rest of the Bahamians,” said the four-time NBA champion.
“Those guys had the biggest wins in our country’s history as far as beating Argentina twice on home soil which is not an easy task, Argentina’s one of the best teams in the world and it’s just going to do wonders for the country,” he added.
The Bahamian basketball team has a chance to gain its first-ever trip to the Olympics after beating Argentina in the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament, 82-75.
Thompson may be in the Olympic squad should the Bahamas qualify in the 2024 quadrennial event.
