SPORTS SECTION E
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025
Chisholm Jr, Page 5
Ayton to sign with any NBA team he chooses FREE AGENT: The Portland Trail Blazers organisation has announced it has bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton — making him able to sign with any team he chooses. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE E8
Deandre takes a shot at free agency By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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TINKER BAGS HIS FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE – PAGE 3
ith the National Basketball Association’s negotiations for the 2025 free agency open, Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton has decided to exercise his options with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton, the second Bahamian to be drafted as the number one pick and the second to play for the Trail Blazers, joined the free agent market, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania late Sunday night. According to Charania, the Trail Blazers and Ayton
have finalised a contract buyout heading into free agency, although Ayton still has one year left on his four-year, $132.9 million contract and would’ve earned $35.6 million next season. “Sudden addition to the free-agent market. This gives Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick who went to the NBA Finals with the Suns, the chance to receive a fresh opportunity as the Trail Blazers build around their depth of young centres,” Charania wrote. While negotiations with free agents have begun, no deals can be formally signed until the moratorium period ends on July 6.
The NBA free agency will officially begin on July 6 at 12pm. The 26-year-old Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists during the past season, but the Trail Blazers finished 12th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 win-loss record. It was the second consecutive year in Portland that Ayton and the Trail Blazers have missed making the playoffs. But to his credit, Ayton missed a few games due to injuries. In the 95 games he played, he averaged 16.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Bayshore Sports Consultancy puts together free flag football clinic for over 50 children
Suns could allow him to become part of a contending team. And NBA insider Bobby Marks said that as a free agent, Ayton is free to sign with any team this summer. “Deandre Ayton is free to sign with any team despite earning greater than $14.1M+,” Marks wrote. “The waiver restriction for second apron teams only applies during the regular season.” Could he possibly end up in Los Angeles where the Lakers have been searching for a centre, or could he join newly acquired Bimini native Valdez “VJ”
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BGF PREPARES TO HOST CARIBBEAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IN preparation for the hosting of the Caribbean Volleyball Championships 2025, the Bahamas Volleyball Federation hosted a Volleyball Station seminar over the weekend at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The practical and theory sessions were conducted by instructor Manuel Celderon from Mexico. The sessions also included friendly matches for players trying
By Jonathan Burrows BAYSHORE Sports Consultancy, a newly launched Bahamian-based sports consulting agency, made a strong debut this past Sunday by hosting a free flag football clinic for more than 50 kids at the St. Augustine’s College campus field. The event brought together aspiring young athletes, experienced coaches and local parents in a vibrant display of community-driven sports development. The clinic drew more than 50 boys and girls aged seven to 16 years, who were put through drills focused not only on the fundamentals of flag football but also on teamwork and discipline. The event wasn’t just flag football – it was about opportunity, mentorship and building new avenues for sports success in The Bahamas. Before the start of the clinic, a press conference was held in SAC’s audio and visual room where Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg expressed his support for Bayshore’s initiative.
Selected as the No.1 pick out of Arizona in the 2018 Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton was traded by the Suns to the Trail Blazers in 2023 for Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson, in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns also moved Toumani Camara, a 2029 first-round draft pick in the package. In the two years that Ayton has been with the Trail Blazers, he hasn’t been part of the playoffs. In addition, Charania reported that Ayton is a fresh addition to the free agent market. His postseason experience with the
out for both the men and women national teams. Also in attendance was Mushtaque Mohammed, the president of CAZOVA, who came for a site inspection before the start of the tournament from August 15-23 with nine men and eight women teams participating. Kirk Farquharson, who coordinated the sessions, said there were about 16 persons who completed the Volleyball Station and
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THE SPORTS July CALENDAR PARTICIPANTS at the free flag football clinic hosted for over 50 kids at the St. Augustine’s College campus field. Photo: Jonathan Burrows “Understanding the Bowleg thanked the flag experience in the elite exposure that is needed football coaches who were sport. and the guidance that is present and also thanked Shipman actively parneeded for our athletes in former NFL linebacker ticipated in coaching the various sports through- Ray Shipman for his time throughout the day, offerout the country is very devoted to the kids. ing hands-on tips to young, important,” Bowleg said. One of the major high- aspiring players and “I’m looking forward to lights of the clinic was the encouraging them to work partnership with them in presence of Shipman, who hard on and off the field. many more sporting events played college football at At the press conference, to ensure we cover the the University of Central Bayshore Sports Consulwhole man and woman as Florida and also played tancy proudly announced it relates to sports here in professionally for the New Shipman as one of the the country,” Bowleg also Orleans Saints, and with added. him brought a wealth of SEE PAGE E2
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMP THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8. The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
SUMMER FEST TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma. The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and
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