Latest news with #DevonChism
Daily Tribune
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain hit a wall in Chinese Taipei
TDT | Manama For six games, Bahrain rode a wave of momentum, dispatching every opponent in their path with an ease that belied their 47-year absence from the William Jones Cup. But yesterday night in New Taipei City, the home team had other plans. Chinese Taipei delivered a masterclass in execution, ending Bahrain's unbeaten run with a resounding 93–50 win — a statement performance that showed exactly why they were considered Bahrain's toughest challenge heading into the tournament. Early Blitz Breaks the Game Open From the opening tip, Taipei were locked in. They raced out to a 31–18 first-quarter lead, then tightened the screws with a 29– 12 second quarter. By halftime, it was 60–30, and Bahrain never got close again. Where Chinese Taipei moved the ball crisply and shot with confidence, Bahrain were static, hesitant, and out of sync. Shooting Slump Sinks Bahrain Chinese Taipei shot a red-hot 45.9% from three (17 made), while Bahrain managed just 31.3% from the field and 9-of-38 from deep. The usually reliable outside shooting that had powered Bahrain's earlier wins disappeared under pressure. Turnovers (17 in total) and poor ball movement limited scoring chances. Only Devon Chism found any real rhythm, finishing with 13 points and 9 rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting. Ali Rashed added 9 points and 6 boards, and Mohamed Buallay chipped in 7. But Bahrain's offense never truly fired. Chinese Depth Stands Out Taipei, meanwhile, showed their full offensive arsenal. He Dan led all scorers with 19 points, knocking down five threes on six attempts, while Chen YingChun added 14 points and 5 assists in a brilliant performance. Taipei dominated on the boards, outrebounding Bahrain 52–35, including 15 offensive rebounds, and finished with 22 assists as they ran Bahrain's defense ragged. Defending Champions Await The loss drops Bahrain to 6–1, but there's no time to dwell. They return to the court at 10 AM today against Philippines' Strong Group Athletics, the defending champions and another powerhouse in this year's field. This will be Bahrain's final match of the tournament. Strong Group are coming off an amazing 106– 98 win over Malaysia, which is the highest-scoring game of the tournament so far. It's a tough turnaround, both mentally and physically, but also a chance to show they can bounce back.
Daily Tribune
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Headline: Bahrain Stay Perfect With Win Over UAE
TDT | Manama After dropping 106 points on Australia the day before, Bahrain had to find a different gear against UAE, and they did just that. With the game on the line, Bahrain outlasted their Gulf rivals 77–71 to stay unbeaten in the Jones Cup. Now 5–0, the Kingdom sit firmly atop the standings with three more matches remaining. A Fast Start Bahrain sprinted out of the gates with a 24–9 first quarter, locking down UAE's shooters and owning the glass. Jakarr Sampson and Devon Chism controlled the paint early, while Rashed got loose for a pair of threes. But the second half was anything but smooth. UAE clawed their way back behind Omar Alameri's 16 points and a strong third quarter from Demarco Dickerson. The Emiratis won Q3 25–17 and cut Bahrain's lead to just one. For the first time in this tournament, Bahrain looked vulnerable. Cue the late composure. Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man With the game tight, Mustafa Rashed stepped up in a big way by scoring 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including five triples and a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. He bailed Bahrain out of multiple tough possessions and created breathing room with a timely three in the fourth. Jakarr Sampson didn't have the most efficient night (7-22 FG), but his 18 points and 14 rebounds were crucial. Devon Chism nearly posted a triple-double: 8 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. Bahrain's size wore UAE down over four quarters. They grabbed 24 offensive rebounds and totaled 9 blocks, which is one of their best rim-protecting performances to date. What's Next Bahrain will get a lighter assignment tomorrow against Qatar B, followed by crucial games against Chinese Taipei A and Strong Group Athletics (PHI). With the Kingdom sitting 5–0, the path to a perfect run is real, but there's still business to handle.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain eyes FIBA Asia Cup berth, climbs ranks
TDT | Manama Bahrain's national basketball team continues to push forward despite falling just short of securing a direct berth in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. In the latest FIBA rankings, Bahrain climbed to 66th place globally and 11th in Asia—their highest-ever standing. This progress speaks to the team's steady rise on the international stage and their drive to compete among Asia's best. Bahrain's rise in the rankings and continued fight for a place in the FIBA Asia Cup are testaments to the support from His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, whose leadership has pushed the national program forward. Key players like power forward Devon Chism and point guard Ahmed Haji have been instrumental in Bahrain's campaign, with Chism averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds per game. Haji told TDT during the qualifiers, 'Every game we play, we're proving we belong here.' Proving Their Mettle Bahrain's journey to the FIBA Asia Cup took an unexpected turn following a heartbreaking 87-89 loss to Syria in Doha. The defeat marked the conclusion of the continental qualifying competition, where Bahrain managed just two wins in six games. Head coach Jad El Hajj reflected on the narrow loss, calling it a '50-50 game' that could have gone either way. Despite the setback, Bahrain still has one final opportunity to book their place in the tournament. One Last Chance With the main qualifiers complete, Bahrain will now compete in a secondary qualification event alongside Iraq and India this month. The three teams will battle in a round-robin West Asian competition, with the top two securing a ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup, set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5-17. A total of 16 teams will compete in the final tournament, with 12 nations—including host Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, and Lebanon—already securing their places. Bahrain now faces a crucial test in March as they seek to claim one of the remaining four spots in the continental showcase. A Nation's Basketball Dream Bahrain's basketball ambitions extend beyond rankings and qualification battles. As they prepare for their decisive matchups against Iraq and India, the team carries the hopes of a nation eager to see them compete on Asia's biggest stage. Head coach El Hajj remains optimistic, stressing, 'We're building something special, and these next games are our chance to show it.' For a country of Bahrain's size, their journey is nothing short of inspiring. As they chase a 10th appearance in the FIBA Asia Cup, one thing is clear: Bahrain is no longer just an underdog—they are a team that demands respect on the court. Their next games will define their path, but their rise is already a story worth following.
