The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN guard Domnick Bridgewater delivered a standout performance in Brazilian professional basketball, scoring 32 points to lead Esporte Clube Pinheiros to an 89-74 road victory over Basket Osasco in the NBB CAIXA 2026/27 competition.

Bridgewater, who recently joined the Brazilian club after competing professionally in France, also contributed three rebounds, four assists and five steals in an impressive all-round display that helped Pinheiros secure its third consecutive victory.

The 26-year-old finished with an efficiency rating of 29 in the October 29 matchup at the Ginásio Geodésico in Osasco, São Paulo. He shot seven-of-10 from two-point range, connected on two three-pointers and converted 12 of his 14 attempts at the free-throw line.

His defensive activity was equally important, as he helped disrupt Osasco’s offensive rhythm throughout the contest.

Only Osasco’s Jamison Costa, known as JJ, scored more in the game, finishing with 34 points despite his team’s defeat.

Pinheiros established control early, taking the opening quarter 25-21 before extending its advantage with a 24-18 second period to carry a 49-39 lead into the half.

The visitors continued to dictate the pace after the break, outscoring Osasco 26-19 in the third quarter to stretch the margin to 17 points heading into the final period.

Although Osasco responded with a 16-14 advantage in the fourth, Pinheiros had already created enough separation to comfortably close out the 89-74 win.

The performance followed an encouraging debut for Bridgewater two days earlier, when he helped Pinheiros defeat União Corinthians 75-63 on October 27.

His arrival in Brazil represents another step in a professional career that has taken him through several European basketball programmes, particularly in France.

Pinheiros announced the signing of the Bahamian on October 15, bringing him aboard after his stint with FOS Provence Basket in France, where he had established himself as an important offensive contributor.

He averaged 19.5 points and 4.3 assists across 38 games during his previous campaign with the French club and helped FOS Provence reach the semi-finals.

Bridgewater’s move to Pinheiros also reunited him with fellow Bahamian national team veteran David Nesbitt, who joined the Brazilian organisation during the off-season.

Nesbitt also made a valuable contribution against Osasco, finishing with six points, seven rebounds and three steals in 29 minutes of action. His work on the boards provided an important presence for Pinheiros as the Bahamian pair helped their team secure the road victory.

The presence of two Bahamian players adds an international connection to a Pinheiros programme that is undergoing a significant rebuilding period.

The club, formally known as Esporte Clube Pinheiros, is one of Brazil’s established sporting institutions, having been founded in 1899.

Its basketball programme competes in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), the country’s premier professional basketball competition.

Pinheiros entered the 2026/27 campaign with considerable changes to its playing personnel, having lost nearly 80 per cent of its previous season’s roster.

The club has placed an emphasis on developing younger players while incorporating experienced professionals into the group.

Head coach Gustavo De Conti, who returned to the Pinheiros bench for the current campaign, has emphasised the importance of developing young talent as the organisation begins a new chapter. That combination of youth and experience has been part of the team’s approach during the opening stretch of the season, with Bridgewater providing an important scoring option alongside Brandon Weatherspoon, Felipe Gregate and Nesbitt.

Weatherspoon contributed 17 points in the victory over Osasco, while Gregate added 11 and Lucca Boracina finished with 10.

The victory extended Pinheiros’ winning streak to three games and improved its record to 3-1 in the early stages of the NBB campaign.

Bridgewater has also been a regular part of the Bahamian national programme, having represented The Bahamas at senior level since 2019 after previously competing with the country’s under-17 team in 2017.

He was an important contributor during the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers, averaging 18.2 points and seven assists according to previously reported national team statistics.

His latest performance in Brazil provides another opportunity to establish himself as a key contributor in a new professional environment while helping Pinheiros maintain its positive start to the season.