VALENCIA, Spain — In a matchup of a player and a coach with the Bowling Green State University men’s basketball team, the Bahamas’ national basketball team defeated Lebanon 89-72 on Saturday in the semifinals of an Olympic qualifying tournament.
Lourawls Nairn, Jr., a second-year assistant coach with the Falcons, started for the Bahamas, which advanced to Sunday’s final against Spain. The winner earns a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Nairn logged a little more than 12 minutes, recording two rebounds — both offensive — and an assist with a plus-minus rating of plus-6. Deandre Ayton (Portland Trailblazers) led the Bahamas with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
Meanwhile, BGSU junior forward Youssef Khayat started for Lebanon and recorded nine points, three rebounds, and an assist in 24-plus minutes. Khayat is in his first year with the Falcons after transferring from the University of Michigan.
The Bahamas has never qualified for the Olympics since joining Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) in 1962.
First Published July 6, 2024, 9:39 p.m.
