…GBF President promises competitive team
The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has officially confirmed Guyana’s participation in the highly anticipated 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup tournament, which will take place from December 13 to 15 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, which serves as the premier 3×3 basketball event in the Americas in that it draws top teams from across North, Central and South America, is now in its fourth edition, and has established itself as a crucial stepping stone towards global championships, including the FIBA 3×3 World Cup and potentially the Olympic Games.
This tournament provides a unique platform for countries to showcase their talent, build their international reputation, and vie for a place among the best in the world. Participation in the championship is, for Guyana, not just about competing, but about gaining recognition on the international basketball stage, because it is a golden opportunity to elevate the nation’s standing in the rapidly growing sport of 3×3 basketball.
Guyana made its debut in the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup during its inaugural edition in 2021, and continued its participation in 2022, with both tournaments having been held in Miami. Unfortunately, financial constraints prevented Guyana from competing in the 2023 edition in San Juan, but Guyana’s performance in previous tournaments has been commendable, consistently proving that Guyana is a formidable competitor from the Caribbean.
In the 2022 tournament, the Guyanese squad featuring Delroy James, Gordon James, Shelroy Thomas and Nikolai Smith displayed exceptional skill and resilience. The team went undefeated in the qualifying rounds, only narrowly missing out on advancing to the quarter-finals after intense, closely contested matches against Canada (17-19) and Mexico (15-16). Guyana eventually finished 11th out of 17 countries with an impressive record of three wins and two losses, cementing its status as one of the top 3×3 basketball teams in the Caribbean.
GBF President Michael Singh, in expressing his excitement about Guyana’s return to FIBA’s marquee 3×3 tournament, highlighting that the GBF is committed to fielding the strongest possible team to represent the nation, drawing from both local talent and players in the diaspora.
“The GBF is thrilled to be back in the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup,” Singh stated. “Our focus now is on selecting the best players to compete. In our last outing, we had a great mix with two locally-based players and two from overseas, and they made us proud. This time, with the experience gained, we are confident of going further in the tournament.”
Singh has, however, acknowledged that corporate support would be essential to Guyana’s preparations.
The GBF plans to hold a one-week training camp to bring the team together and ensure they are well-prepared. “We are counting on the continued support of our partners,” Singh said. “We’ve reached out to several companies, and we’re hopeful for positive responses. The Government of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) have always been supportive, and we trust they will once again be on board.”
Reflecting on the growth of 3×3 basketball in Guyana, Singh highlighted the GBF’s efforts over the past year to promote this dynamic sport.
“Since its inception, we’ve prioritized the promotion of 3×3 basketball across Guyana. We’re pleased to see a surge in local tournaments, which is critical for our participation in international competitions like the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup,” he noted.
Selecting the final team would be challenging, given the depth of talent available, but Singh is confident the best athletes would be chosen to represent the country.
3×3 basketball is one of the fastest-growing urban sports worldwide, and has officially been recognized as an Olympic sport during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
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