Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert (right) shoots over Boston Celtics centre Jermaine O'Neal in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis. - AP photos

ATLANTA, Georgia, USA

National captain Roy Hibbert is willing to sift through club rosters worldwide, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States, to find players eligible to represent Jamaica in a push to qualify the country for the Olympics and World Championships.

Hibbert, the Queens, New York-born son of a Jamaican father and Trinidadian mother, was chosen to lead Jamaica at Centro Basketball, a qualifying tournament held in 2010. The 7' 2" third year centre for the NBA's Indiana Pacers said while he admires his national teammates' "hunger" to succeed, he plans to recruit additional talent to boost the squad.

"I would hope that more Jamaicans in the NBA and, hopefully, in Europe, would like to come play," the 24-year-old said prior to the Pacers' clash with the Atlanta Hawks here Saturday night.

"The guys who I'd seen last year, this past summer, are good guys, but to have a stronger team would be a lot more enticing."

first try

Hibbert said he is recruiting in the NBA. His first try, however, was unsuccessful. Hibbert approached Detroit Pistons' Ben Gordon, a career 18 points per game scorer now in his seventh season, who reportedly has some connection to Jamaica. Gordon was born in London.

"I called (Gordon) up and told him and he told me he was going to play for England," said Hibbert, a graduate of Georgetown University, the same college attended by Jamaican-born Patrick Ewing, an NBA Hall of Fame inductee.

"So I have to do more research ... Team Jamaica didn't even know I had Jamaican nationality. So, I mean, if they went out and found more guys that'd be great."

Hibbert is confident other players in the pro ranks, especially in the NBA, qualify for Jamaica, and would turn out for the national team if they knew they were eligible.

Like Ewing, Hibbert represented the U.S. But he has long been interested in playing for Jamaica, and discussed that idea with Patrick Ewing Jr., son of the NBA great, while the two attended Georgetown. Hibbert said he approached Jamaica's basketball authorities to express his interest and now plans to get involved in the talent search once the NBA season is over.

"Yeah I will be," he said. "Right now we're about the Indiana Pacers, but during the summer I'll see what I can do."

Hibbert, who was the 17th pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors and then traded to the Pacers, is not the only Jamaican in the NBA. Trelawny native Samardo Samuels is a rookie power forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ewing Jr. currently plays in the NBA Development League. His father is an assistant coach with the NBA's Orlando Magic.

Young Jamaican professional basketball talent is also active outside the U.S. Centre Jerome Jordan, for example, who also attended college in the U.S., currently plays in Europe. Both Samuels, 22, and Jordan, 24, have represented Jamaica.

Hibbert admits enduring an "up and down" year with the Pacers. Although statistically he is having his best NBA season, averaging 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists through Saturday's game, bettering his career marks in each category, his shooting percentage has declined sharply recently. Despite his struggles, Hibbert plans to continue to represent Jamaica.

"I'll play for the national team," he said.

He's just looking for a few more good men to join him.

Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert (55) and head coach Jim O'Brien