Bonzie Colson turns down Jordan for possibility to represent Cape Verde / News - Basketnews.com

Colson has declined an offer from Jordan in the past but is considering joining forces with Real center Walter Tavares, who has carried the Cape Verdean national team to historic FIBA World Cup qualification.

Credit: FIBA, Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit FIBA, Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Real Madrid center Walter Tavares is usually defined as a one-man army when playing for his native Cape Verde, an island country of around 580,000 population.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv / Schedule

Zalgiris Kaunas Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv68-67 Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Real MadridThu18:05

He has carried the national team on his shoulders throughout a historic run in FIBA World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers, earning a ticket to the main tournament in the upcoming summer.

Interestingly, the smallest country to ever qualify for the FIBA World Cup might have another EuroLeague reinforcement as Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv forward Bonzie Colson is considering uniting forces with Tavares.

"We [me and Tavares] talked a little bit. We talked about the opportunity and if it's good for me," Colson told BasketNews after his recent visit to Kaunas, Zalgirio Arena. "Tavares concordly said yes. He is Cape Verdean. He was born there, so he has been the main source there. He has been playing well, so hopefully, I may play with him on the national team."

Credit FIBA

Although he was born in Washington, Colson's roots can be traced back to Cape Verde.

Intriguingly, a country of his family heritage was not the only nation that has tried to open doors for Maccabi player.

Jordan was another option to choose from, as Colson earlier revealed to BasketNews' Giorgos Kyriakidis. However, the latter alternative is no longer being considered.

"Jordan off. It reached out last year, and I declined it," Colson pointed out. "But Cape Verde is something that I have been trying to get for some years now. I am Cape Verdean, my mom is Cape Verdean. I have ties there. I am from New Bedford, where there is a big Cape Verdean community.

"We have been trying," he added. "We are in a process of figuring out what are the best options for me. It would be great to get it. If not, just keep moving and keep developing as a player."

3-pointers this season

37%9,2Points made:9,2Accuracy:37,0%Place in standings:9Record max:18Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Mario HezonjaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

FIBA World Cup 2023 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia starts in less than five months -- from 25 August to 10 September. (No) pressure.

"We are just figuring out what is the best thing for me at this point in my career. We are definitely both in contact," Colson responded to a question about his World Cup participation.

Without a doubt, the Cape Verdean national team would welcome Colson with open arms, as Tavares previously said.

"I would be delighted in case Colson represents our country because he's a great player."

The two may be near the final decision this week. On Thursday, Cape Verdean basketball pioneer Tavares arrives in Tel Aviv to play the final EuroLeague regular season game against Colson and his team.

Perfect timing for another recruitment campaign? Who knows...

Real will be fighting for the first seed, while Maccabi will seek to get as high as the fifth spot after clinching the EuroLeague playoff berth in a one-point loss vs. Zalgiris Kaunas last week.

"We are definitely happy about playoffs," Colson told BasketNews. "That was one of our goals, to make the playoffs, and we have accomplished that. It's good for ourselves, it's good for our team, organization, and fans. We are excited about that.

"We can see Real Madrid, we can see Barcelona, we can see Olympiacos. Who knows? We just got to focus on ourselves," the 27-year-old added.

Being one of the EuroLeague Top 8 teams' cornerstones in the rookie season is quite an achievement.

Colson would definitely be among Rookie of the Year contenders, averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 13.4 PIR over 33 EuroLeague games (25 starts).

"It's been a blessing," Colson described his maiden EuroLeague year after playing in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks and having stints at SIG Strasbourg and Pinar Karsiyaka in the Basketball Champions League (BCL).

"It's definitely different being here, in the EuroLeague. The talent level is really high. My role has changed from previous teams. I have been more of a scorer. Here, I got to be a pro at a couple of things. It was an adjustment for me, but I've learned from a lot of guys," Colson, a former BCL MVP (2021), compared the leagues he has played in.

"It's been great," he also said. "I have developed a lot as a player. I am still developing. I am happy to be here, and I am happy that the season is going great for the team and also for myself."

Returning to the NBA has always been his goal. Colson went undrafted in 2018 and appeared in just eight NBA games under a two-way contract, posting 4.9 points and 3.8 boards in 12.3 minutes.

Under the terms of the Milwaukee deal, he split time with the Bucks' G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. Despite putting solid numbers there, Colson looked for opportunities overseas since he was waived by the Bucks following the 2018-19 season.

Before this EuroLeague campaign, Colson signed a two-year contract with Maccabi that runs through 2024. An NBA out may sound like a warning signal for Maccabi at this point of Colson's flourishing run.

"I believe there is an NBA out there [in my contract]," Colson said. "You know, I am focused on Maccabi. I am trying to develop as best as I can. Those are always goals in mind, no matter where I am at."

EuroLeague postseason, Israeli league playoffs, and possibly FIBA World Cup -- three upcoming challenges that might boost Colson to new career highs.

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