Freeland Challenges Qualifier Schedule as College Commitments Complicate Team Selection

Basketball Association President Michael Freeland has criticised the scheduling of basketball qualifiers, saying another round in the same year placed financial pressure on Antigua and Barbuda and complicated the availability of players attending college overseas.

Speaking on Thursday’s Jojo Sports Show on Observer Radio, the Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association president said the association raised its concerns with the Caribbean Basketball Confederation and FIBA.

“To have back-to-back qualifiers in the same year is crazy,” he said.

Freeland questioned why two qualifying rounds were being held in the same year for a competition he said was scheduled for 2028.

He argued that the timing overlapped with the start of college basketball seasons, making it difficult for overseas players to leave their programmes.

“The scheduling was off,” he said.

Freeland described discussions with college coaches who were willing to explore arrangements allowing players to represent Antigua and Barbuda.

One proposed arrangement required a player to return by a specific date shortly before his college season began. Another would have limited the player’s availability before the tournament while allowing him to participate in the competition itself.

Freeland said the discussions showed that some overseas programmes were trying to accommodate the national team, despite their own obligations.

“I wouldn’t blame any coach in the circumstance,” he said.

He also pointed to the financial burden of preparing for successive rounds, particularly for an association dependent on fundraising and sponsorship.

However, Freeland distinguished those difficulties from the local attendance problems that he said ultimately led to withdrawal.

While overseas players faced school and scheduling constraints, he said 10 local players had initially committed to participate, with only three attending practice consistently.

The association therefore faced two separate challenges: securing the release of overseas players and assembling a reliable group at home.

Freeland maintained that the latter was the decisive factor in the country’s withdrawal.