Jamaican-born billionaire and philanthropist Dr. Trisha Bailey, widely recognized as the richest woman to ever emerge from the island, is throwing her full support behind Jamaica’s national basketball program.
During a recent visit to the team’s training camp in Boca Raton, Florida, Bailey made a personal donation and issued a nationwide call for support as the team works toward raising $4 million for a dedicated training facility in Jamaica.
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Bailey, a former track and field athlete who now heads Bailey’s Medical Equipment and Supplies, said the visit left her deeply inspired.
“Yesterday, I had the distinct honor and privilege of visiting the Jamaican National Basketball Team during their training camp in Boca Raton,” she wrote on Instagram. “What I witnessed filled me with pride and renewed hope. Jamaica is on the rise once again—this time, through basketball. Just as we’ve shown the world our greatness in Track & Field, Football, Bobsled, and more, we are now positioning ourselves to make a global mark in basketball.”
The donation, timed with Bailey’s birthday, is part of her annual tradition of giving back in gratitude for life’s blessings.
“Every year on my birthday, I choose to give back as a way of expressing my gratitude to God—for life, for strength, and for the grace that has carried me through seasons where the odds were stacked against me. And still, I rise,” she shared.
The proposed $4 million facility, Bailey says, will be more than just a training ground—it will serve as a hub for international competition and athlete development.
“This facility won’t just serve our national team—it will be a home where we can host powerhouse nations like the USA and others, giving our athletes the resources and respect they truly deserve,” she wrote.
Bailey also called on fellow Jamaicans and supporters of the island to contribute.
“I’m inviting you—especially those who believe in the beauty, strength, and potential of our beloved Jamaica—to join me,” she said. “Whether as a birthday gift to me or simply as a gesture of unity and patriotism, your contribution will help write a new chapter in Jamaica’s sports legacy.”
The Jamaican National Basketball Team will tip off their FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Pre-Qualifiers campaign in Obregón, Mexico, from August 8 to 10.
Those interested in supporting the team can visit https://jamaicabasketball.org/support-us.
