As election season begins to intensify in The Bahamas, a major shakeup has emerged in the political landscape with former NBA player Rick Fox being announced as a candidate for the opposition Free National Movement (FNM).

Fox has been selected as the party’s candidate for Garden Hills, a seat currently held by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. Bowleg has represented the constituency since 2021, when the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) defeated the FNM in a landslide 32-7 victory.

The 56-year-old Fox was among 12 candidates ratified during a ceremony at FNM headquarters on February 3.

The latest announcements bring the party’s slate to 39 candidates selected ahead of the general election, which is constitutionally due by September 2026.

Speaking after his ratification, Fox acknowledged that his decision to enter politics was not an easy one.

“Politics is not an easy road. It’s a road of service, if done correctly,” he said.

Fox added that he was motivated by the challenges facing Bahamians, which he said he has witnessed firsthand.

The three-time NBA champion said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the trust placed in him.

Fox, who previously served as an Ambassador-at-Large for The Bahamas, has also been a frequent critic of the country’s major political parties. When asked about those past comments, he emphasised that his criticism has always been directed at the political system rather than individuals.