Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer
Recardo Alliman (left), and Orville Perkins two of six players heading for the U.S. - PHOTO BY ANTHONY FOSTER
SIX JAMAICANS were recently awarded scholarships to play basketball in the United States.
Leading the island's charge into U.S. universities is Sheldon Warminton, a 6 ft 5 in. forward who plays with local National Basketball League (NBL) team Blazing Panthers.
He will be going to South East Illinois College in Illinois, along with Howane Hall, St. George's Slayers 6' 1" guard.
Forward Christopher Walker of Harbour View Lakers will be travelling to Ohio to attend Cedar Ville University, while fellow forward Orville Perkins of Tivoli All Stars will be playing his next basketball tournament for Carl Albert State University in Oklahoma.
Youth players Recardo Alliman, who plays for the Blazing Panthers, and Christopher Manderson of Ardenne High, both forwards, have also been selected to represent junior schools overseas - pending acceptance.
All six players are scheduled to leave the country for the school term beginning in August. The scholarships are the result of an on-going relation between members of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA) and American colleges.
Richard Pollack, public relations director of the JBA, said from 2001 to 2003, 35 players had been awarded scholarships to study and play the sport abroad.
"The JBA is placing emphasis on individuals, not just playing in the NBL but moving on to showcase their talent in other places," he said.
Pollack went on to say the JBA will be hosting a week-long Star Search Basketball Camp in July to select NBL players.
It will serve as a scholarship recruitment exercise and several US college coaches will be in attendance.
