Ja star to play for Miami Heat

Former Calabar High School basketball star, Vashil Fernandez, has signed a contract to play for Miami Heat in the 2016-17 NBA season.

The Heat announced the signing of Fernandez on Monday but did not disclose the terms of the deal due to club policy.

The 24-year-old Fernandez, is the all-time leading shot blocker at Valparaiso University where he played four seasons.

The 6 feel 10 inches Fernandez last represented Jamaica's senior team at the Tournament of Americas in Venezuela in 2013.

worked hard

President of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JBA), Dr Mark Broomfield, said yesterday that he was elated with Hernandez's achievement. Broomfield said he expects Fernandez to do well in the NBA.

"Hernandez has worked hard and so he deserved to be where he is at now," said Broomfield. "It also good to see a basketball player coming out of our high school system and signing for a team in the NBA. This will help to raise the profile of basketball both locally and internationally," he added.

Fernandez averaged 4.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 54 percent from the field during his collegiate career.

As a senior, he led the NCAA in blocks per game and was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Fernandez, who finished his college career with 289 blocks, will wear the number 14 jersey for the Heat.