No pressure on Delroy James to perform at FIBA World Cup Pre-qualifiers

Marque player on the national Men’s Basketball team, Delroy James, said while there is a level of expectation placed on his shoulders, he is under no pressure to perform.

Additionally, Coach Junior Hercules said the players are ready for the battles that await them in the FIBA 2023 World Cup Americas Pre-qualifiers in El Salvador from today (April 15).

The 33-year-old James is a six-foot power forward who most recently played for Promitheas Patras in EuroCup.

Additionally, he was won the FIBA Champions League (2018) and FIBA Intercontinental Cup (2019) and will for the first time represent Guyana.

Speaking to News Room Sport before departure, James said he is not fazed by the high level of expectations to perform.

“It is easy, just play Basketball. You got to do something that you have been doing for your whole life and just take it as it comes. We have been working very hard for this opportunity and we just got to go and prove ourselves,” James stated.

The top three teams will advance to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers in July 2021.

The other participating national teams are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica and Nicaragua.

James said the team is confident they can make it to July: “We just got to go and take it a day at a time, and got to be confident each game. I don’t know the rosters over there, for the most part, I know some of the guys from Jamaica, but we just got to be confident every single time, can’t slack on anything. All we got to do is worry about ourselves and continue to work hard.”

Meanwhile, Head Coach Junior Hercules said the team is settling in well since arriving on April 13, but it was a big blow not to have one of the players travel due to a positive COVID-19 test, which means Hercules will only have 11 players at his disposal.

Hercules admitted the players have some nerves, but it is linked to the eagerness to play which he feels is a positive sign.

Squad: Stanton Rose (Captain), Delroy James (Co-Captain), Harold Adams, Travis Belgrave, Deylon Bovell, Gordon James, Anthony Moe, Nikkoloi Smith, Akeem Crandon, Terron Welch and Israel Yaw.

Management: Junior Andrew Hercules – Head Coach, Dennis Clarke – Assistant Coach, Alex Graham – Head of Delegation, Dr. Dennis Bassier – Team Doctor, Akeem Fraser – Physiotherapist and Warren Wilson – COVID-19 Compliance Officer.

Guyana Games Schedule:

Game 1: Thursday, April 15 – 21:00h GYT – Guyana vs Nicaragua

Game 2: Friday, April 16 – 18:00h GYT – Guyana vs Jamaica

Game 3: Saturday, April 17 – 21:00h GYT – Guyana vs El Salvador

Game 4: Sunday, April 18 – 18:00h GYT – Guyana vs Costa Rica

All matches will be broadcast on E-Networks.