Debutant Kofi Coccburn scored a buzzer beater as Jamaica stunned Puerto Rico 92-90 in their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers on Friday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

With the score tied at 90-90, Cockburn, who was making his Jamaican debut, collected a rebound with just over a second on the clock and tipped home for a famous victory, which was heartbreaking for the home team and their fans.

The 26-year-old centre, who plays for Japanese club Hiroshima Dragonflies, top-scored with 26 points and a massive 15 rebounds and was ably supported by Tyran De Lattibeaudiere with 15 points.

Several Jamaican players did well and got into double digits as Andrew Thelwell scored 12 points, Kenton Facey, Romaine Thomas and Chase Audige all scored 11 points.

It was a massive win for Jamaica, which is ranked 95^th in the world, and Putto Rico ranked 16^th.

Christopher Ortiz top-scored for Puerto Rico with 17 points, Gian Clavell with 14, and Zakai Zeigler netted 13 points.

Jamaica, playing without star player Norman Powell of the Miami Heat, fought hard all the way in a close battle with the home team, Puerto Rico.

The game was tied after the first quarter at 26-26, before Puerto Rico ended the half winning the second with a five-point advantage, 57-52, after winning the second quarter 31-26.

But Jamaica rallied with a big third quarter, winning 24-11 and taking an eight-point lead entering the fourth quarter, 76-68.

Puerto Rico, energised by the partisan fans, regained the advantage as both countries exchanged the lead with time running out. But Cockburn came up big in the dying seconds, collecting a rebound and scoring with just over a second left, winning 92-90.

Jamaica are drawn in Group B alongside Canada, Bahamas and Puerto Rico as they hunt a spot at the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

In the second group game, Canada dismissed the Bahamas 111-75.

Jamaica have two scheduled home games against The Bahamas on February 26 and Canada on March 1 2026.

The groups for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers are:

• Group A United States, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua
• Group B Puerto Rico, Canada, Bahamas, Jamaica
• Group C Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile
•  Group D Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Cuba