That position underlines the importance of the biennial visit of the Washington DC Jammers, comprising Guyanese who migrated to the USA or whose parents have Guyanese roots.

During a media conference at the Empire Trust New Market Street office, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Col Godwin Mc Pherson, disclosed that the selectors ideally try to reach a balance of 50-50.

“But, we’re not going to be bound by ratios. If we just don’t have the talent at home, we just don’t have the talent at home. And the talent at home will have to see the better talent coming in from outside and see to what level they will have to rise. And this is why we’re always excited when DC Jammers come,” Mc Pherson declared.

The GABF and Empire Trust are staging a five-game fixture for Jammers, starting on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In the first encounter, Jammers will clash with a Linden line-up, then on Monday, they meet a Georgetown side.

Then Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the visitors will take on a local President’s XII selected on the performance of local players in the first two games.

After the three-game series with the overseas players coming up against the local players, the National team will be selected.

DC Jammers will field some seasoned players like Dennis Boyd, Willie Hodges, Wayne Bristol, Pierre Godette, Stephen Nurse and Jason Bassarie.

A panel will be looking at the performances during the series. The panellists have not been finalised, but they will comprise coaches of the local team and those of DC Jammers, and other knowledgeable persons.

“At the end of the day, we cannot say that John Jones was picked and John Jones was no good because a panel of persons will sit and watch and say in their respective positions, these are the better people,” Mc Pherson said.

Asked about the possible appearance of college players, Mc Pherson disclosed that arrangements were in train to have Lorenzo Withrite and Lancelot Loncke travel home or might join the team in the USVI, while the GABF was also talking with Orin Mohan and Remmington Ram.

Mc Pherson also said that Sean Semple and Edgar Thomas have been disappointments for local basketball, although they went to college through scholarships arranged by the GABF.

“Semple represented Guyana once and after that it has always been a difficulty to get him to represent Guyana,” Mc Pherson disclosed. He added: “Semple had the special ability and he was one we had expected much of and much from.”

However, Thomas was an issue of selection because there were his equals here in his position, or even better. He was playing centre, which already had Withrite and Loncke.

DC Jammers arrive tonight at 23:00 hours and will be staying at the Woodbine Hotel.