Bahamian Players Set for Head-to-head Matchups

Advertisement

UNITED STATES – The 2026-27 NBA schedule is out, and Bahamian basketball fans have several dates to circle when VJ Edgecombe, Buddy Hield and DeAndre Ayton could go head to head.

Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers will face Hield and the Atlanta Hawks January 4, January 18 and April 4.

The January 18 matchup in Atlanta is the big one, with the Sixers and Hawks meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at 2:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

Edgecombe and Ayton’s Wizards will meet three times, January 12 in Philadelphia, March 18 in Washington and April 2 in Washington.

Hield and Ayton will have the most head-to-head action in the Southeast Division, meeting November 4, November 6, January 11 and February 1.

UB Mingoes MBB

Jay Philippe has barely had time to settle into his new job as University of The Bahamas men’s basketball head coach, but he’s already getting to work.

Philippe, who was recently named to replace Bacchus Rolle after 13 years at the helm, will host his first tryouts August 17 through 21 at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium, with sessions beginning at 7:30 p.m. each night for currently registered UB students.

Philippe will be joined by a staff that includes long-time assistant Lavar Johnson, who returns as his lead assistant, along with volunteer assistant coaches Joshua Cornish and Virley McKinney.

The Bain Town native brings 14 years of high school coaching experience to the Mingoes.

Philippe says his vision is built around defense, player development and building a cohesive team, while making sure players from the Family Islands have a genuine opportunity to compete for a spot.

WNBA

Jonquel Jones recorded her 13th double-double of the season as the New York Liberty held off the Los Angeles Sparks 85-81 last night at Barclays Center.

Jones finished with 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, along with four assists, one block and one steal.

The Liberty appeared to be in control, building a 28-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Los Angeles responded with a 21-0 run and eventually cut the deficit to one.

New York outlasted the comeback, with Sabrina Ionescu hitting two clutch free throws late to help secure the four-point win.