Norman Powell is officially in South Florida—but not yet wearing a Miami Heat uniform.
The 32-year-old guard, who was traded to Miami in early July, is currently training with the Jamaican national team at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton as they prepare for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Americas Pre-Qualifiers. Powell is set to make his national team debut for Jamaica this week in Mexico.
“It’s been amazing,” Powell told Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald after a recent practice. “I was expecting training camp to be in Jamaica, but then I learned it was in Boca. And then being traded to the Heat—it’s definitely cool.”
Jamaica will open Group A play on August 8 against Barbados, followed by Costa Rica on August 9 and host Mexico on August 10. All games will be played at ITSON Arena in Ciudad Obregón.
Powell averaged 21.8 points per game last season with the Clippers before being sent to Miami in a three-team deal that also included the Utah Jazz. With 617 career NBA games and a 39.8% three-point shooting mark, Powell brings both scoring and experience to the Jamaican roster.
The Heat newcomer plans to visit the team’s facilities at Kaseya Center once training camp wraps this week.
“I’ll go down there officially on Monday to the arena and look at a few places to stay and hopefully find one,” he said. “I can fully start moving everything and getting settled.”
Powell said he’s embracing the transition to Miami after being surprised by the trade.
“You get a little rumbling that it’s a possibility, but not really,” he said. “Then you get traded. But the Heat, they’ve welcomed me with open arms. They’ve talked about how much they’ve wanted me.”
He also praised the franchise’s identity, calling it a match for his mindset.
“I think the Heat culture is me to a tee,” Powell said. “I’m built on competitiveness, I’m built on working, I’m built on the grind.”
One of Powell’s first moves as a Heat player involved securing his preferred jersey number, 24, from teammate Haywood Highsmith.
“I’m super thankful for him being willing to do it,” Powell said. “There was respect on both sides… we were able to work something out.”
Jamaica has not appeared in a FIBA World Cup since joining the global competition circuit. With Powell and Suns center Nick Richards expected to lead the squad, the team is pushing to re-establish itself on the international stage.
The top two finishers from Group A will advance to the 2027 Americas Qualifiers.
