Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis is determined to help break down barriers as an investor with the fan-owned SailGP Bermuda team.

Davis, who enjoyed a 13-year professional career with the likes of Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, officially backed the venture last month.

The player-turned-entrepreneur admits one of the driving factors behind his involvement was to try to help remove supposed stereotypes surrounding sailing, with the sport considered accessible only to those from certain demographics.

“For me it is about, how can I as an owner breed inclusiveness and honour the culture of this community?” said Davis speaking to The Royal Gazette on island this week.

“This is absolutely an opportunity to break down some barriers. Sailing has largely been considered a sport mainly for the white upper classes, but it is not exclusive for just those people.

Black people sail too and so we have to create a situation where that opportunity can present itself, especially for young people here who could have the chance to grow up with a professional national team. That can give them immense pride, but it is also something they can reach to be part of.

“Why would we not want to open those doors to show young people that they can be part of this and get involved in so many different ways. Creating those opportunities for people within this community is one of my main targets.

“Once you see it and can touch it, that changes everything because all of a sudden it becomes a real possibility.”

While the team may have ultimately fallen short of their original ambition of making the start line for Season 4, Davis’s involvement has given them a timely boost in their revised aspiration to launch in time for Season 5.

Davis admits he could not pass up the opportunity to commit to the project, which he hopes he can help get closer to becoming a reality in the near future.

“Just to be able to get involved at an early stage and possibly help grow something is amazing,” added Davis, who since retiring from basketball has gone on invest in companies exploring the intersection of sports, entertainment and technology.

“In sport, when you make a statement you have to then back it up and so for me it’s now time to go and get the work done, that’s the exciting part for me.

“When you think about this opportunity, what could be better than being involved with something that is a watersport comparable to Formula 1; that’s not a normal opportunity.

“It will be super exciting once we get closer to getting the team off the ground, see this team line up in its first proper race and then also see the team compete in a home race.

“We’re taking our steps and it is becoming more and more real as we keep moving forward.”