The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has shortlisted eight players who will form the core of their men’s 3×3 team, which will participate in the upcoming FIBA AmeriCup Championship in Miami, Florida, from November 12-14. This was confirmed by the GABF president Michael Singh during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport. According to Singh, two overseas-based players along with six local individuals, will form the provisional roster for Guyana at the championship.
He explained, “On the men’s team, they are eight players we are looking at. They are Ryan Stephney, Stanton Rose, Nikkoloi Smith, Travis Burnett, Gordon James (overseas), Delon Bovell (overseas), Timothy Thompson, and Akeem Crandon. Those are the eight people we will be pulling the team from.”
Singh added that the rules provide for the registration of eight players, adding that the deadline for registration is penciled for today.
“The rules state that we register them on the 3×3 domain which is the criteria that is needed. FIBA has a deadline of tomorrow (today) for registration of players and within the next two days we will confirm the men’s team.”
According to Singh, the staging of respective 3×3 international events could provide the ideal platform for the nation as a sport tourism destination for the discipline.
He added, “We think that if Georgetown could host such a tournament in the busy areas of the city, it would provide an avenue for sport tourism for the country.”
FIBA 3 x 3 AmeriCup Open Category will feature 33 teams. That equates to 18 men’s teams and 15 women’s units. Guyana will feature in Qualifying Draw ‘C’ in the men’s pool alongside Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia.
The men’s division will feature the likes of Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, USA, and Venezuela.
In the women’s section, the teams are Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, USA, and Venezuela.
Similarly, Guyana will also participate in the Qualifying Draw ‘A’ in the women’s section against Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, and Jamaica.
