ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Miami Heat center player, Joel Anthony, celebrated his 30^th Birthday in Antigua and Barbuda with friends and family. The NBA Champion arrived at VC Bird International Airport last Wednesday. He was greeted by his mother and former teacher Erene Anthony now living in Canada and aunt, Nurse Florence Anthony of Old Road, the community where he chose to celebrate this major milestone.

The six-foot nine-inch athlete was also greeted at the VIP Lounge by Minister of State within the Ministry of Sports Senator Winston Williams, Director of SportsEvans “Jawakie” Jones and the Director of Tourism in the US, Derede Samuel-Whitlock.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer also called Anthony to wish him a Happy 30^thBirthday and to welcome him back home.

Tourism Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock asked the 2012 NBA champion about some of the things that he was looking forward to during his short trip in Antigua. Anthony replied, “Sitting on the family verandah and eating mangoes and spending quality time with the family. “

Last Friday, Anthony had an opportunity to meet and mentor with the country’s young and upcoming players in both Antigua and Barbuda.  He also made the media rounds including an appearance on Good Morning Antigua Barbuda (GMAB).

“I am a firm believer that everything starts with our youth and that they are the future so if that development is able to take place then you will continue to see more people from the islands get an opportunity to play in the NBA and be successful in any sport they choose.  With hard work, more Caribbean basketball players can advance to the professional realm.” Anthony added.

Anthony and his mother also took a short trip to of Barbuda on Friday, organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA). He visited the Lighthouse Bay Resort, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary and the local basketball court in Codrington.

This was Anthony's first trip to the sister island, but not by any means his first visit to Antigua.  The player has been making the island his private getaway for many years and even lists Antigua & Barbuda as “his favourite place to visit” on his website.