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Indiana's Hibbert regrets representing Jamaica
Jamaican-born Roy Hibbert of Indiana Pacers in action against the Miami Heat's Lebron James during last season's Eastern Conference play-offs. - File
Indiana Pacers star centre Roy Hibbert has expressed regret at ever donning the national colours as he continues to be frustrated in his bid to represent the United States.
Hibbert last appeared for Jamaica at the Centro Basketball Tournament in the Dominican Republic in 2010. The player has since requested that he be released by the country in order to fulfil his dream of representing the stars and stripes. The player explained that the potential of making an appearance at the Olympics weighed heavily as a key factor in accepting the invitation for the Jamaican national team in the first place.
"I wanted to play in the Olympics and then they invited some other guys from my draft class to be centres," Hibbert told online publication SI.com's Fansided (http://fansided.com).
"I thought I could have been in that group. If I had gotten invited, I wouldn't have played for Team Jamaica. You live and you learn," the player said.
Since appearing for the Jamaica national team, the player has gone on to become one of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) most recognisable centres. The 7'1" big posted a strong series against last season's eventual champions Miami Heat, dominating a slightly smaller line-up in a thrilling East Conference final, which saw the Heat advance in seven games.
Hibbert, who asked to be released two years ago, claims talks to finalise the switch of allegiance are ongoing, but no headway has yet been made in the issue. Little headway has, however, been made in the problematic issue.
"There has been some dialogue, but right now international lawyers are taking care of that to see if I can get out of my Team Jamaica thing," Hibbert said.
It does seem certain that the player will not reconsider his stance as it regards donning the black green and gold.
"If I don't play for Team USA ever again, I'll enjoy my summers and bulk up like I did this summer."
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/2013...VS_SI.facebook
Jamaican-born Roy Hibbert of Indiana Pacers in action against the Miami Heat's Lebron James during last season's Eastern Conference play-offs. - File
Indiana Pacers star centre Roy Hibbert has expressed regret at ever donning the national colours as he continues to be frustrated in his bid to represent the United States.
Hibbert last appeared for Jamaica at the Centro Basketball Tournament in the Dominican Republic in 2010. The player has since requested that he be released by the country in order to fulfil his dream of representing the stars and stripes. The player explained that the potential of making an appearance at the Olympics weighed heavily as a key factor in accepting the invitation for the Jamaican national team in the first place.
"I wanted to play in the Olympics and then they invited some other guys from my draft class to be centres," Hibbert told online publication SI.com's Fansided (http://fansided.com).
"I thought I could have been in that group. If I had gotten invited, I wouldn't have played for Team Jamaica. You live and you learn," the player said.
Since appearing for the Jamaica national team, the player has gone on to become one of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) most recognisable centres. The 7'1" big posted a strong series against last season's eventual champions Miami Heat, dominating a slightly smaller line-up in a thrilling East Conference final, which saw the Heat advance in seven games.
Hibbert, who asked to be released two years ago, claims talks to finalise the switch of allegiance are ongoing, but no headway has yet been made in the issue. Little headway has, however, been made in the problematic issue.
"There has been some dialogue, but right now international lawyers are taking care of that to see if I can get out of my Team Jamaica thing," Hibbert said.
It does seem certain that the player will not reconsider his stance as it regards donning the black green and gold.
"If I don't play for Team USA ever again, I'll enjoy my summers and bulk up like I did this summer."
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/2013...VS_SI.facebook
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