Who Gets Kirk Smith Jr. For 2023 BEBL Season

And, it is not often that we hear about controversy within the realm of local basketball. But, as the stakes increase within the B.E.B.L. there is bound to be disagreements and disputes. And, such is the case with the signing of Kirk Smith Junior to the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes. If the name Kirk Smith sounds familiar, it is because he is the son of Belizean basketball legend, Kirk ‘Shabba’ Smith Senior. But, when Kirk Smith Junior signed with the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes in January, information surfaced that he already had an agreement with the Belize City Defenders. A dispute ensued between the two teams over the highly sought after talent. Smith continues to practice with the Hurricanes, though he remains off the court during official games. Today, Doctor Paul Flowers the General Manager of Hurricanes told us that the matter is being addressed through arbitration.

Paul Flowers

Dr. Paul Flowers, General Manager, Benny’s Belize Hurricanes

“Double signing has happened in this league at the beginning of every single season. It is not that real out of the world experience. Hurricanes have had players who they work out with we day before the season and when contracts get out to the league we learn that they are on two rosters. We run a league where we only consider the rights of the owners; we don’t really properly consider the rights of the players. But, as things get higher and you bring in more skilled, more professional. In Belize we do things like yeah mien I got you. But, as the stakes get higher and the appearance of money starts to come around then all kinds of things come out of the woodwork. My statement on that is double signing has happened throughout the history of the league and it always has been handled the same way. It is a he said, she said, because we don’t do things the right way. But, we have very good arbitration for these things. The main arbitrator has always been Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer along with her team. They look at the facts and make their judgment and we have always respected what their judgment is.”