Shabazz Napier will be one of three Puerto Rico shipowners in the next FIBA ​​window

The shipowner Shabazz Napier This afternoon, he had his first practice with the national team with a view to representing Puerto Rico in the FIBA ​​window, the president of the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation reported.

The practice session is confirmation of your intention to participate with Puerto Rico at the FIBA ​​window starting Wednesday at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

“He practices and is very positive, excited to represent Puerto Rico, hungry to show what he can do at FIBA,” said Puerto Rico Basketball Federation president Yum Ramos.

Napier is one of the three-point guards who trained with the national team today. The other two are Jose Juan Barea e Ivan Gandia

Napier trained with the national team at some point in the last Olympic cycle, but has not yet made his debut with the team in an international tournament.

When he finally made his debut in both games this week, he would make his first international alliance in the FIBA ​​environment. Napier, the son of a Puerto Rican named Carmen Velázquez, flirted with playing for Puerto Rico after his collegiate career at the University of Connecticut, winning two NCAA national championships in 2011 and 2014. After completing his four-year career with the championship, his value as a prospect to the NBA soared and apparently he put playing for Puerto RIco on the back burner.

After his collegiate career, Napier jumped into the NBA as the 24th overall pick in the first round of that year’s rookie draft. Claimed by the Charlotte Hornets, he was traded the same night of draft to the Miami Heat, with whom he debuted in the league. He then played at Orlando, Portland, Brooklyn, Minnesota and Washington. He currently has no job with the NBA.

Napier arrives in Puerto Rico with free agent status. Ramos said Napier looked good physically. Other free NBA agents who will also be active here to play in the window are Joe Johnson and Isaiah Thomas, who will play for the United States.

Ramos reported meeting with Napier this Sunday, thanking him for his intention to finally make his debut with the National Team.

“All protocol tests have been performed and everything is in order. I thanked him for coming to the country that we are at your disposal, that we have a great plan with a vision for the future, that everything he needs is there for him, ”said Ramos.

Napier’s first games with Puerto Rico are against the Bahamas and Mexico.

Ramos gave credit to Carlos Arroyo for Napier’s performance in front of this window, adding that Arroyo also started talks with the point guard to let him participate in the calls the national team will be holding this summer in view of the pre-Olympic game. in Serbia.

Arroyo is a recruiter for the national team between functions.

“The talks took place with Carlos Arroyo. Placeholder image, as a recruiter and listen. They talked about this window and the rematch. Clearly, we are moving from tournament to tournament. Let’s see how this one goes. But the plans are for him to get into the playoffs, ”he said.

The Olympic play-off is in Serbia in June. The national leader, Eddie Casiano, has said he expects a wide call-up for the playoffs.

His presence in Puerto Rico is an “achievement” for the Federation which has spent years, through various administrations, trying to recruit players of Napier’s profile for the national team, Ramos said.

“It shows the commitment we have with the national program of being among the top 12 or 10 in the world to raise our level of play,” said Ramos.

And their dedication can serve as a magnet for players with NBA contracts and thus elusive so far to play for the national team to join the quintet.

“It’s speculative, but you could say we hope so,” Ramos said. “We are going step by step with other players who are integrated to have a competitive Puerto Rico, to have good representation.”

Puerto Rico is behind players like Maurice Harkless, the Miami Heat, and Jonathan Isaacby the Orlando Magic. Devin Booker, of the Phoenix Suns, is another Puerto Rico that has reached out. Markus Howard, of the Denver Nuggets, is also on that list and in fact his brother Jordan starred with the Guayama Brujos in the BSN ‘bubble’.

Carmelo Anthony was in contact with Puerto Rico before deciding to play for the United States.