Norman Powell is set to make his debut for the Jamaican national basketball team during the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico.
According to a report by Eduardo Villalpando, Powell will join Jamaica for Group A play, with games scheduled from August 8–10 at ITSON Arena in Ciudad Obregón.
The 32-year-old guard, who was traded to the Miami Heat earlier this month, will headline a Jamaican squad that is also expected to include Suns center Nick Richards.
Jamaica is scheduled to face Barbados on August 8, Costa Rica on August 9, and host nation Mexico on August 10.
The national team has not yet announced its final roster for the qualifying window.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from Group A advancing to the Americas Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Powell’s inclusion marks a major addition for Jamaica as the program aims to return to the global stage.
He averaged 21.8 points per game during the 2024–25 NBA season with the Clippers before being traded to Miami in a three-team deal that included the Jazz.
Over his nine-year NBA career, Powell has played in 617 regular-season games, averaging 13.2 points while shooting 39.8% from three-point range.
His playoff résumé includes 91 appearances, highlighted by a key bench role during Toronto’s 2019 championship run.
Jamaica’s recent push to recruit high-level talent has intensified, with several dual-national players reportedly under consideration ahead of the World Cup cycle.
The team last competed in a major FIBA tournament in 2013 and has not qualified for the World Cup since joining the international circuit.
Tip-off for Jamaica’s opening matchup against Barbados is set for 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, August 8.
