Jermaine Barnes
NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA -- Former International star Jermaine Barnes (193-G/F-83, college: Point, GA) has officially signed with the Tonga National Team (FIBA Oceans) for three international events.
Barnes, played college ball at Point University (GA), will be brought as an import for Tonga to boost the squad in its campaign in the upcoming FIBA-Asia Poly Cup along with the Copa Mitchell Cup in Santiago, Dominican Republic January 2-8.
The club will start training two weeks before traveling to South America.
The 35-year-old reached international stardom after joining the Asian market from 2008-2012. Barnes set the single game scoring record in the 2009 Japanese Emperor's Cup (All-Japan Tournament) with 63 points. He broke Japan's all-time leader in scoring John Humphrey's 55 points record in the final four vs. Toyama Grouses (Japan B-League). Barnes would later join the USA National Select team in the 2012 FIBA Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. He would led the American squad to the gold medal game versus Smart Gilas (Philippine National Team). Barnes was named AsiaBasket.com All-FIBA Jones Cup Team along with Top Defense Player.
"Jermaine was the first person I thought of when I took the head coaching job", said import coach Travis McAvene . I have alot of experience coaching Barnes and hes the exact type of player this group needs. I think the Poly Cup along with South American Cups will be good for our growth.
McAvene has made it very clear that Barnes will not be the only import taken for the Copa Mitchell Cup. "We are looking at a few other players", said McAvene. A center like Keith Closs (224-C-76, college: Cent.Conn.St.) and a dominate scorer like Marquin Chandler (202-F-82, college: San Jose St.) come to mind. Cory Bradford (191-SG-78, college: Illinois) is also on my wish list. Veteran leadership is a big part of winning international events.
Barnes, who played in 9 countries (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Cyprus, Taiwan, Spain, Germany) looks to continue his great career after this summer. A long journey back from a terrible injury suffered in NBA training camp. Barnes was signed the summer of 2014 with the Minnesota Timberwolves for training camp. Former NBA Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell discovered Barnes after his great play in Taiwan. After his training camp injury Barnes was forced to retire from basketball. After two season off he returned to play for Liberia in the LBS League in Costa Rica. Barnes would go on to average 28 points per game winning LBS Player of the Week back to back for round 6 and 7.
The Tonga National Team will dress 12 for the Poly Cup and only 10 for the 2019 Copa Mitchell Cup.
#21 Siale Bain-Vete
#44 Mosese Alipate
#5 Niasi Malua
#3 Semisi Tu'uefiafi
#23 Sonny Afu
#2 Marcus Alipate
#4 Afu Fakatou
#24 Nifai Tonga
#20 Solomone Wolfgramm
#0 Alfred Terepo Forward
#11 Obabaiah Paca
#40 Jordan Lino
#8 Jermaine Barnes
