Eric Gordon cleared to play with Bahamas despite suiting up with Team USA / News - Basketnews.com

Eric Gordon has been allowed to play with the Bahamas NT, even though he helped the USA team win gold at the 2010 World Cup.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Eric Gordon has joined the Bahamian national team on Monday as the squad prepares for its FIBA Americas pre-qualifying games with a friendly game in Puerto Rico against the Kansas Jayhawks. The tournament will be held between August 14-20 in Santiago del Estero and La Banda, Argentina.

Eric Gordon

Position:SGAge:34Height:191 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:Indianapolis, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Gordon, 34, represented Team USA in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, where he averaged 8.6 points while finishing second on the team in three-pointers made, helping the United States finish a perfect record of (9–0) en route to winning the gold medal.

According to 10th Year Seniors, a Bahamian website, USA Basketball granted Gordon’s release and FIBA approved his change of country representation due to Article 22 of its Internal Regulations. Article 22 prohibits a player from changing national team allegiance once he has participated in a major FIBA competition.

The article can be amended at FIBA's discretion if the player is joining a developing national team program and the move is deemed "in the best interest of basketball."

Argentina, Bahamas, Cuba and Panama are in Group A while Chile, Colombia, Virgin Islands and Uruguay are in Group B. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals. The Bahamas open August 14 against Cuba, face Argentina on August 16 and Panama a day later.

The five teams that win the pre-qualifying tournaments advance to next year’s FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments July 2-7, 2024 with the winners of those tournaments earning a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Gordon signed a two-year deal for $6.5 million with the Suns with a player option the second year. Kansas head coach Bill Self on Sunday said he was told to expect the Bahamas to run with Gordon and potentially new Suns teammate Deandre Ayton after the Jayhawks faced the Bahamas featuring Buddy Hield. The Jayhawks won the game 92-87 behind center Hunter Dickinson’s 28 points.

After starting the season with theHouston Rockets, the veteran player was traded to theLos Angeles Clippersin February, where he finished the season. In 69 games last year, Gordon averaged 12.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 44.6% shooting (37.1% 3PT).

In his 15-year NBA career, Gordon played for only three teams - Clippers, Rockets, andNew Orleans Pelicans.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.