Former IU basketball standout guard Eric Gordon has done a lot in his basketball career but one thing he has yet to do is help lead the Bahamas to the Olympics. In fact, nobody has. The Bahamas have yet to make an Olympics in men’s basketball in its country’s history.
But this year could change all of that. After the Bahamas took down Lebanon this week, it left Gordon and the Bahamas just one win away from a magical run coming to fruition.
“It means a lot,” Gordon said this week. “We know we are a small country and we have a lot of great athletes. Since last summer, we feel we’ve been taking on this task of trying to do something special.”
Gordon is not the only recognizable name on the Bahamas roster. Portland Trailblazers center Deandre Ayton, Philadelphia 76ers guard Buddy Hield, and incoming Baylor five-star wing VJ Edgecombe headline the group — all of whom have had signature moments so far in Olympic Qualifying.
“I think our team is built for it,” Gordon said heading into qualifying. “We have a good enough team to try to make it to the Olympics as long as we stay together.”
So far, Eric Gordon is averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 assists and is shooting 40 percent from three.
In addition to its win over Lebanon, the Bahamas have also beaten Poland and Finland en route to the finals.
Now, it’s a matchup with host-country Spain, one of the premier European teams. A win and they’re in.
“I think we can beat anybody as long as we stay together,” Gordon added. “And hopefully we do get that chance.”
They get that final opportunity to make history on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm ET.
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