National Men’s Basketball team heads to French Guiana for ‘cultural exchange’

The senior men’s basketball team will have a cultural and basketball exchange in French Guiana from May 21 to 26.

The trip is part of French Guiana’s ‘Guyana Day’ celebrations, a week-long showcase of Guyanese culture featuring arts, entertainment, and sports.

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) sees this as a prime opportunity for its national squad, as French Guiana doesn’t participate in Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournaments.

Outside of the Inter-Guiana Games, senior-level matchups between the two have been scarce, making this a significant moment for the program.

Coached by Adrian Hooper and assistant Marlon Rodriguez, the selected team blends with rising talent.

Coach Hooper emphasizes that while this tour has a focused roster, the GBF is planning other tours throughout the year to give more players national team experience.

U.S.-based guard Anish Ramlall from St. Cloud State University is a key addition to the squad. This selection highlights the GBF’s continued effort to integrate diaspora players, enriching the national talent pool.

The rest of the roster includes Stanton Rose Jr. (Untouchables), Harold Adams (Royals), Orlan Glasgow (Royals), Jermaine Slatter (Kobras), Zian Gray (Eagles), Travis Belgrave (Eagles), Nikkoli Smith (Ravens), Shamar Huntley (Ravens), Denzil Ross (Eagles), Dominic Vincente (Ravens), and Domair Gladstone (Untouchables).

This tour follows Guyana’s recent trip to Suriname, as the GBF prioritizes consistent competition and development for its national teams. These initiatives are part of a larger strategy to keep local talent active and provide exposure to international play.

GBF President Michael Singh stated, “This trip…rewards consistent performances…and provides our players a chance to experience basketball in a new environment and culture.”

He added, “We’re using this momentum to refocus our efforts on revitalizing the men’s national program, with tours like this serving as incentives for standout performances locally.”

Singh explained Anish Ramlall’s selection: “Diaspora talent is essential…Anish has shown a genuine interest in contributing…He traveled here, played in the One Guyana League, and impressed our coaches.”