By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net    

POINT guard Dominick “Nardo” Bridgewater likes the athleticism of the men’s national basketball team that is preparing to play Cuba and the United States this week in the AmeriCup Qualifying Tournament.

The Bahamas, with its top-notch players from the National Basketball Association, will host Cuba 8:40pm Thursday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium before facing the United States of America at 7:10pm Sunday in their pair of home games against their rivals in Group D of the qualifying tournament. 

Following the team’s practice session last night, Bridgewater passed by the AF Adderley Gymnasium to get a sneak view of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic where he  played before he embarked on his professional basketball journey in France.

“We’re looking good. We have a nice group put together right now. We’re looking good right now,” Bridgewater said.

The team, coached by John Lucas III, Mychel Thompson Jr, Addison Walters and Jordan Walker,  will feature Bridgewater, Samuel Hunter, Lathaniel Bastian, Eron Gordon, Domnick Bridgewater, Dylan Musgrove, Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, Kenny Isnord, Godfrey Rolle III, Garvin Clarke Jr, Franco Miller Jr, Kentwan Smith, Rashad Davis and Tavario Miller Sr.

Bridgewater said the goal for the Bahamas is to win both matches in order to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. 

“We are looking for two wins. We have a good group put together, so we just have to go out there and play,” said Bridgewater, adding that they will make the difference up in their height against their opponents. “We have some good guards who can handle the ball and we have some good guys on the wing, so we feel confident that we have a team that has the potential to win both of these games.”

The 24-year-old Bridgewater said he’s excited to be back home to put on a show for the Bahamian public. He noted that he’s enjoying his season in France, although his team, Champagne Basket, is sitting in the middle of the team standings at 9-14 in the 14th spot out of a field of 20 teams. “The season has been going great for me individually,” said Bridgewater, who is averaging about 12 points and four steals a game. “Hopefully when we get back after these games, we can continue to improve,” he stated.

For now, his concentration is on trying to get the Bahamas past Cuba and the USA in these two games in the AmeriCup Qualifying Tournament on Thursday and Sunday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.