DeAndre Ayton, an NBA star athelete with Caribbean roots, via his Ayton Household Basis (AFF) have inaugurated their first venture in Jamaica with the revitalization of the Cedar Spring Group Middle in St. Elizabeth. The upgraded heart gives meals, college provides, video games, well being companies, and extra group assist.
“Again to the place all of it started. Collectively, we opened the doorways to a renewed Cedar Spring Group Middle in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica — the primary AFF venture on the island! With meals, video games, college provides, well being companies, and a number of love, we celebrated the power and pleasure of this lovely group,” Ayton shared on Instagram not too long ago. “Thanks to everybody who got here out — we’re simply getting began.”
Ayton was born in The Bahamas to a Nigerian father and a mom of Jamaican and Bahamian heritage. A number of of his family joined him on the heart’s opening to mark the event.
Drafted first general by the Phoenix Suns in 2018, the Bahamian heart later performed for the Portland Path Blazers earlier than signing a two-year, $16.6 million deal (with a 2026–27 participant possibility) with the Los Angeles Lakers. In seven NBA seasons and 398 video games, the 26-year‑previous has averaged 16.4 factors and 10.5 rebounds.
DeAndre Ayton is a part of a rising custom of NBA gamers with Caribbean roots:
V.J. Edgecombe (Bahamas) was chosen third general within the 2025 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. A Baylor standout, the 6′4″ guard averaged 15.0 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and three.2 assists as a freshman and represents the most recent in a line of Bahamian stars—together with DeAndre Ayton—to make an NBA influence.
Different notable Jamaican-descendants: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Timberwolves), his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Patrick Ewing (Corridor of Famer, born in Kingston), Taj Gibson, and Kelly Olynyk have all proudly represented their heritage.
With Ayton’s newest transfer into Jamaican philanthropy and Edgecombe’s rise to the NBA, Caribbean basketball affect continues to develop—each on and off the court docket.
