We’re Jammin’: Caribbean Basketball’s Big Week

Words by LargeUpCrew—

We can’t say with certainty that it’s the first time that this has happened but this definitely a landmark moment for Caribbean basketball: Both of the NBA’s newly-named players of the week—the Hawks’ Al Horford in the Eastern Conference, and the Spurs’ Tim Duncan in the Western Conference—are products of the islands. Duncan, the future Hall of Famer from St. Croix, led the Spurs to a 3-1 week from Monday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 25, with averages of 22 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.3 blocks, while Horford, who hails from D.R., had his Hawks off to a 4-0 week, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Last year when we ranked the NBA’s Top 10 Caribbean ballers, Duncan and Horford came in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, behind only the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, a player who’s island roots run a little bit less deep (his mother is Puerto Rican) than these two born and bred islanders.

It’s safe to say that—for one week at least—the Caribbean has officially taken over the NBA.