The debate is raging. Since the announcement by Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) President Charlie 'Softly' Robins, in January, that the process had been started to select the '40 Greatest' players from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the topic has gotten hot.
In New Providence, the major plank for Bahamian basketball since its inception, many discussions are taking place. The '40 Greatest' idea has given much more significance to the federation which has been upstaged heavily in recent years by high school and independent tournaments.
Grand Bahama did not become a noted basketball island until during the 1970s. The interest there, nevertheless, is just as heavy as it is in the capital island. I was in West End recently, and saw James 'Goon' Culmer, one of the great Grand Bahamian players. He is excited.
Earlier, when the news of the '40 Greatest' project began to spread, Denzal 'Inch McGuire' Swain contacted me and emphasized the intent of Grand Bahama to not be left out" of the mix. Swain took the time to network with others from the Grand Bahamian basketball fraternity, and submitted a large list to the BBF for consideration.
His list included several players from Abaco. The resurfacing of the BBF because of the '40 Greatest' project has led to Swain expanding his effort. A former top basketball statistician, Swain, in conjunction with several of his fraternity colleagues who are feeling the spirit, has put together the '40 Greatest' of Grand Bahama.
Here's the list: 1. Dereck 'Bookie' Nesbitt, 2. Basil 'The Kid' Sands, 3. Charles 'Softly' Robins, 4. Stanley 'Wizard' Williams, 5. James 'Goon' Culmer, 6. David 'Stretch' Morley, 7. Bradley 'Shy' Evans, 8. Humphrey 'Cripples' Smith, 9. Philip Jones, 10. Mario 'Ice' Green, 11. Anthony 'Dunkin' Hines, 12. Ritchie 'Coupier' Adderley, 13. Kenneth 'Sir K' Smith, 14. Dereck 'Fire' Cummings, 15. Carter 'Sky Scraper' Lightbourne, 16. Ben 'Smooth' Russell, 17. Gary 'Ragon' McIntosh, 18. Keith '7 Footer' Mullings, 19. Jerry 'Super J' Johnson, 20. Julius 'Doc' Lewis, 21. Scott 'Scottie' Forbes, 22. Leon 'Lukie' Stuart, 23. Oral 'Big O' Jones, 24. Dirk 'DT' Tynes, 25. Steven 'Visine' Rolle, 26. Milton Russell, 27. Jeff 'Cheese' Pinder, 28. Hilton 'B-Bay' Davis, 29. Paul 'Pablo' Rose, 30. Simon 'Hondo' Lewis, 31. Austin 'AG' Grant, 32. Drexel 'Sexy' Porter, 33. Clifton
Martin, 34. Keithlyn 'Smooth' Russell, 35. Dion 'Redman' Pinder, 36. Gilbert 'Showboat' Rolle, 37. George Saunders, 38. Philip Williams, 39. Anton 'Backboard' McKenzie 40. Fletcher Lewis.
Those are the greats from Grand Bahama, according to Swain and company. Now, we await the BBF's process, the countdown to the '40 Greatest' in history.
The excitement grows!
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)
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