SPORTS SECTION E
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025
McENROE SAYS CENTRE WILL GIVE KIDS CHANCE By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AMERICAN retired Hall of Fame tennis player John McEnroe, one of the sport’s highest acclaimed players, returned to The Bahamas to share some of his knowledge with the local tennis community. McEnroe, who ended his career with 155 titles, 17 major championships and more than 1,400 wins and a net worth of more than $100m, featured in a free clinic on Saturday at the John McEnroe Tennis Centre at Baha Mar. The event was hosted by Derron Donaldson, the Director of Racquets at Baha Mar/Sports Management, who indicated that it’s just the beginning of what is to come in the future. “It’s good to have him here. He’s a legend, an icon, so it’s good for tennis,” said Donaldson, a former president of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Tennis Association and now the secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. “It shows that Baha Mar is a premier destination for tennis and tennis is a
premier and popular sport in The Bahamas. We just need to do more to promote it here in the country.” Here for the first time at the age of 18, McEnroe said it’s his delight to be back at a first-class facility that bears his name on it and to be able to share his experience with the local community. “It was an eye-opener then because I came from northern California and it was very hot down here,” he said. “But I’ve had some great experiences here in The Bahamas. “It’s a fun place to be, especially since I haven’t had the opportunity to play in the Michel Jordan event a few times so I’m glad I have this opportunity with Baha Mar to do this.” Similar to what he does at his academy in New York where he’s tried to make it as accessible as possible for the less fortunate to participate, McEnroe said he was glad to be a part of a free clinic here. “I’ve been here a number of times. I was here last year, but I look forward to coming here a handful of times each year,” he insisted. “It’s beautiful.
So it’s nice to be back. I’m looking forward to coming here more often.” During his tenure as a player, McEnroe also played 12 times on the US Davis Cup team, including a showdown with The Bahamas in the World Qualifying round of the Davis Cup tie that was played in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1993. He noted that the bond he developed with Bahamian legends Mark Knowles and Roger Smith still exists today, even though they may not interact off the court as they did in the past as players on the court. “It was more important for them to show that they could play on the world stage,” said McEnroe of the Bahamian talented duo. “I haven’t seen Roger much, but I see Mark fairly often when I’m out there, “He’s travelling more than I am and he’s coaching, so I think that’s an inspiration. When I come into the (Lynden Pindling International) airport, I see the Bahamian Olympians and so that inspires the next generation.” TENNIS - SEE PAGE THREE
TENNIS legend John McEnroe at the tennis centre named after him at Baha Mar. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
12-golfer team gets set for Jamaica test By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
VJ makes debut in preseason
THE Bahamas Golf Federation’s 12-member team is gearing up for their participation in the prestigious Caribbean Golf Association (CGA) FourBall Championship. The team will leave town on Wednesday to represent the Bahamas at the tournament that will take place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from October 8–13. They will participate in their first practice on Thursday before the CGA Four-Ball Championship gets underway on Thursday. It is one of the premier events on the regional golf calendar, bringing together the top golfers from across
the Caribbean. Team manager Gina Gonzalez-Rolle expressed confidence in the players’ preparation and determination. “We are going into this championship with high hopes and great expectations,” she said. “Jamaica has held the winning streak for the last four years, but our team is focused, hungry, and ready to put The Bahamas back on top. Our goal is nothing less than first place.” The Bahamas will be participating in six divisions with the following players carrying the Bahamian flag: Mid-Amateurs (Ramon Baez Romano Trophy) Lynford Miller and Nolan Johnson. Seniors (Francis Steele Perkins Trophy) - Kelsey
Rolle and Jean Paul Michielsen. Super Seniors (Higgs and Higgs Cup) - Horace Miller and Broderick Pinder. Legends (Ashraph Ali Cup) - Huel Riley and Oswald Moore. Ladies 25+ (Maria Nunes Trophy) - Kyshna Radnetter and Annamae Adderley. Ladies 45+ (Dessie Henry Trophy) - Nathalee Tynes and Rosena Pratt. Last year at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Tobago, Team Bahamas, without any women participating, picked up a second place behind the champions from Jamaica. Among the players returning from Team Bahamas were Moore, Horace Miller, Lynford Miller and Nolan Johnson.
OCT
PHILADELPHIA 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe dunks against the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Photo: Altaf Qadri/AP By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe made his NBA debut for the Philadelphia 76ers in two preseason games this past week. The first game was on October 2 against the New York Knicks, held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as part of the NBA’s international preseason schedule. The 76ers lost to the Knicks 99-84. In 31 minutes,
Edgecombe tallied 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and shot 4-13 (1-6 from three) from the field. He also went perfect from the free-throw line, shooting 5-5. Postgame, Edgecombe said that stepping on the NBA court for the first time was a “dream come true.” He also received early comparisons to the likes of Vince Carter, known for his elite jumping abilities and athleticism. to which he replied, “That’s an elite comp. But I’m VJ, man. The comparison is cool.”
76ers’ head coach Nick Nurse praised Edgecombe’s defensive performance for the game. “I really liked his defence, especially the first half. I thought he was really... causing some havoc, he was getting over screens, he was in passing lanes, he was applying a lot of ball pressure. He is a really good defender, he’s also kind of a good defensive rebounder, and even has a little shot blocking element to his defence as well.” VJ - SEE PAGE FOUR
GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association will continue its baseball and softball regular season action this week at various sites: Today 4pm Senior boys baseball - Aquinas College at Queen’s College; CW Saunders vs St John’s College at Freedom Farm. St Augustine’s College vs Temple Christian at JBLN. 4pm Junior girls softball - Queen’s College at St Anne’s. Tuesday 4pm Junior boys baseball - St
Augustine’s College vs CW Saunders at JBLN. St Anne’s vs Queen’s College at Freedom Farm. 4pm Senior girls softball - CW Saunders at Kingsway Academy. St Augustine’s College at Aquinas College. Nassau Christian Academy at Queen’s College. Wednesday 4pm Senior boys baseball - St Andrew’s at Queen’s College. CW Saunders vs St Augustine’s College st Freedom Farm. St John’s College vs St Anne’s at Baillou Hills. Nassau Christian Academy vs Kingsway Academy at JBLN. NOTES - SEE PAGE THREE