Ayton stages Bahamas Basketball fundraiser

Bahamian professional basketball player DeAndre Ayton demonstrated his love and support for Bahamas basketball over the weekend.

Ayton enters the final year of a four-year contract next season, and there are talks that the Portland Trail Blazers could move him in an attempt to rebuild around a young nucleus. The Blazers missed out on the playoffs of the National Basketball Association (NBA) this season, finishing with a 36-46 win/loss record.

Ayton ended the regular season averaging a double-double for a seventh straight season – putting up 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field. The former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Arizona missed about half of the season with various injuries, but started all 40 games he played in.

Over the weekend, the Ayton Family Foundation held a fundraiser to support The Bahamas’ Senior Men’s National Basketball Team and youth basketball development initiatives. The event was hosted by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

Held at the Ritz-Carlton in Portland, the event brought together NBA stars from the Blazers and Warriors, national team representatives, and community supporters for an inspiring and impactful evening.

The event raised $75,000 to support the national team’s journey to qualify for the 2027 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, along with youth (boys and girls) basketball initiatives and coaching development in The Bahamas.

The Ayton Family Foundation’s broader mission includes nourishing minds and bodies through culturally relevant programs in Portland, The Bahamas and Jamaica.

Special guests at the event included Co-Captain of The Bahamas’ Senior Men’s National Basketball Team Ayton, fellow Co-Captain Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield of the Golden State Warriors, Assistant Coach of the Warriors and national team head coach Chris DeMarco, Houston Rockets Scout and General Manager of The Bahamas’ Senior Men’s National Basketball Team Lynden ‘LJ’ Rose, and Co-Founder of the Ayton Family Foundation Andrea Ayton.

There was a question and answer period spotlighting Bahamian basketball’s growth and global aspirations, featuring Ayton, Hield, Rose and DeMarco.

There was also a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and memorabilia, including Trail Blazers and Warriors game-day VIP packages, a cooking experience with Ayton’s mother, Andrea Ayton, a Baha Mar Resort getaway, and a signed Kobe Bryant jersey.