By NAN Sports Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 25, 2019: Here are the top stories making Caribbean sports news for the week ending, Oct. 25, 2019:
Wondering About The Caribbean Players In The NBA Today?
In case you are wondering who the Caribbean-born players are in the NBA today, we’ve got you covered. There are just five. Here’s the breakdown:
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA – Norvel Pelle, Philadelphia 76ers.
BAHAMAS – Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings; Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers.
HAITI – Skal Labissière, Portland Trailbalzers.
West Indies Has No Top Batsman But A Top All-Rounder In Latest Ranks
The ICC rankings are in and the data shows the West Indies cricket team now has no top batsman in the Top 10 test ranks. That rank is dominated by batting stars from Australia, India and New Zealand, instead. However, there is a shining star in the Windies side yet. Jason Holder was named the number one all-rounder on that Top 10 list and also placed number three on the Top 10 Bowling Ranks. He is the only West Indian on that list. The other West Indies player making the Top 10 bowling rankings was Kemar Roach at 9th.
Another Top Honor For Usain Bolt
Jamaican-born eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt is set to receive the 2019 International Humanitarian Award this Friday, October 25 in New York City. Bolt will be presented with the award at the 2019 Hummingbird Gala.
The board of directors of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) nominated the Olympian in recognition of his philanthropy and contributions he has made to economic development in Jamaica.
Bolt established the Usain Bolt Foundation in 2011. The foundation has provided support to a number of entities including the Walkers Place of Safety that was destroyed by fire, as well as the Jamaica Special Olympics program. The foundation also hosts an annual Christmas treat in his hometown of Sherwood Content in Trelawny.
The VCB Statue Is Now A Reality
A statue in honor of Jamaican Olympian Veronica Campbell-Brown, is now a reality. One of the all-time greats of track and field, VCB was honored on Sunday in Jamaica when they mounted a statue of her likeness at Independence Park in Kingston.
In a career that has spanned more than two decades since she first represented Jamaica as a junior athlete, VCB, has won 19 senior global medals including three Olympic gold medals and three gold medals at the IAAF World Championships. It was the third of four statues commissioned by the government to pay tribute to some of the country’s greatest athletes. Statues of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and now four-time World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been mounted over the last three years. With VCB’s statue now up, only that of former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell is left to join them. “To be remembered and commemorated for my contribution to Jamaica’s rich history in this unique way is an absolute blessing and a gesture that I greatly appreciate,” said Campbell-Brown of the honor.
