Photo by The Bahamas’ Donnie Freeman on the Cusp of History
The 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament has been a thrilling ride for the Bahamas, and Donnie Freeman, the Syracuse basketball freshman, is one step away from achieving his dream of playing in the Paris Olympics. With a 89-72 win over Lebanon on Saturday, the Bahamas is now just one victory away from securing a spot in the Olympics.
But the road ahead won’t be easy. The Bahamas will face off against Spain, the host team and the No. 2 ranked FIBA team in the world, in the final on Sunday. Spain held off a strong challenge from Finland for an 81-74 win on Saturday, with Willy Hernangomez leading the charge with 28 points.
The Bahamas has been on a remarkable run through the Spain qualifying draw, with wins over No. 20 Finland, No. 15 Poland, and No. 28 Lebanon. Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield have been the stars of the show, with Ayton putting up 24 points and 15 rebounds against Lebanon, and Hield scoring 19 points.
Freeman, however, has played sparingly on a team with three NBA players and a freshman from Baylor, VJ Edgecombe, commanding the most attention and playing time. Edgecombe, an 18-year-old guard, has been at times the Bahamas’ best player, scoring 13 points in Saturday’s win.
The Bahamas basketball team celebrates their win over Lebanon
As the Bahamas prepares to face off against Spain, the stakes are high. The winner of the final will secure a spot in the Paris Olympics, and the Bahamas is determined to make it happen. With their impressive run through the qualifying draw, they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.
Donnie Freeman in action for the Bahamas
The final is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and the Bahamas is ready to give it their all. Will they be able to overcome the challenge of Spain and secure a spot in the Olympics? Only time will tell.
Bahamas fans cheering on their team
