With Guyana set to depart local shores today to compete in the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers in Colombia, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation [GABF] has officially announced their 12 member roster for the championships via a press release.
The team reads Stanton Rose [captain], Harold Adams, Travis Belgrave, Travis Burnett, Orlon Glasgow, Delroy James, Gordon James, Anthony Moe, Yonnick Tappin, Timothy Thompson, Shane Webster and Kevon Wiggins.
Guyana sealed their AmeriCup Qualifiers participation after defeating Antigua and Barbuda 83-70 in the final of the 2018 CBC Pre-Qualifiers Championships.
It was Guyana’s first and only senior men’s Caribbean title, winning the tournament for the first time in its 37-year history.
Guyana has been placed in Pool-B of the AmeriCup qualifiers, which runs from February 22nd-24th in Tunja, Colombia, alongside Bolivia, Paraguay and the host nation.
The top two teams from the qualifiers will enter the main tournament that will feature the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.
According to the correspondence, Andrew Hercules returns as the Head-Coach, with Dennis Clarke and Alex Graham serving as the Assistant Coach and Manager respectively.
Hercules during brief remarks said, “The only thing that stands between this Guyana basketball team and our dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible. If we do that, we will be victorious.”
Meanwhile, recently elected GBF President Michael Singh said, “With a short time allocated for us for funding and team preparation, the GABF Executive is proud to produce its best possible squad, featuring our local and overseas based talent.”
Singh added, “Victory in Colombia will solidify our grip on Caribbean basketball, allow us to focus on AmeriCup region which is higher than CBC basketball, as we join teams such as Dominican Republic and Bahamas, who do not play at CBC level.”
Guyana’s participation is made possible through the sponsorship and support received from the Government of Guyana, through the National Sports Commission, Minister David Patterson in his personal capacity, John Fernandes Limited, Alex Mendes, and NF Agriculture.
