SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
NBA, Pages, 5 & 8
Bahamians teaming up at FIU By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
H
ead coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley will now have the benefit of a Bahamian connection on her Florida International University Wildcats women’s basketball team for the 2025-26 season. After forward Rhema Collins emerged from the
transfer portal from the University of Mississippi for the start of her sophomore year, Burks-Wiley acquired guard Denika Lightbourne from the University of Dayton. Burks-Wiley, now in her fifth year at the helm of the Panthers’ programme, feels she’s acquired two players who can make an immediate impact on the further growth and development of their women’s team at FIU.
“We had the fortune of Rhema when she was playing high school and AAU basketball here in the United States and club ball in Miami,” said BurksWiley of Collins, who played an integral role in The Webb School winning back-to-back Tennessee Division 1-A State Championships in 2012-22. “I had the chance to watch her play. So when she was looking for a new home
(through the portal), it was just a really, really great fit because we knew she was coming from a quality programme during her time at Ole Miss with ‘Coach Yo’, so it ended up being a great fit on both sides.” As for Lightbourne, who played through her sophomore year this past season at UD, Burks-Wiley said she watched her play a few years ago, but was reconnected through coach
Anthony Swaby, who worked with both players. “This is a young lady with a great upside, who is just looking for a second chance,” Burks-Wiley said. “We were excited to be able to provide that for her.” As they both make their journey to Florida on June 7 when they have to report to FIU, Burks-Wiley said they’re just hoping for both of them to help push the Wildcats women’s
basketball programme in the right direction. “When we took over the programme, it was in a state of a complete rebuild,” said Burks-Wiley, who spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the South Florida Bulls before taking over as the eighth coach at FIU. “We were fortunate to get it back on track and so we’re looking forward to
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Young track and field stars turn up the heat on day 1
LEADERS OF THE PACK: Young track and field stars compete on day one of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Frank “Pancho” Rahming National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson stadium yesterday. See today’s schedule on Page 6. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
TOP SAILOR PAUL DE SOUZA LOOKING AHEAD TO THE OLYMPIC CYCLE By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THERE’S nothing like training at home. Just ask Paul de Souza, the reigning champion of the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Bahamas Open Senior Nationals. Over the weekend in Lyford Cay, de Souza got to taste some international competition and he fared very well at the Bahamas Sailing Association’s national championships in Lyford Cay, placing
second behind visiting Portugal Olympian Eduardo Marques. In the process, de Souza held off local arch-rival Joshua Higgins in their first head-to-head clash as they both are preparing to claim the one spot for the Bahamas for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. After making his return to competition after just three months of training, de Souza admitted that it’s a whole different ball game.
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THE SPORTS May CALENDAR ROAD TO TOKYO THE Silver Lightning Track Club is scheduled to hold its annual Track and Field Classic on Saturday, May 10, at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, starting at 9am. The event, dubbed the “Road to Tokyo,” will be used as a qualifier for athletes wishing to make Team Bahamas that will compete at the
World Championships from September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan. Interested athletes can contact coach Rupert Gardiner at 821-2836 for more information. SPRING FLING INVITATIONAL THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the
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