GBF names 3×3 squads for Commonwealth and CAC Games

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has officially named its men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball squads for a packed month of international assignments, with the Golden Arrowhead set to fly high at both the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the Dominican Republic.

The dual campaigns mark a historic milestone for the country’s rapidly expanding 3×3 basketball programme.

For the first time, Guyana’s men’s team will compete in the urban discipline at both multi-sport events, while the women’s team returns to the CAC Games hunting for a podium finish after their debut at the 2023 edition in El Salvador.

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled for Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, while the CAC Games will run almost concurrently in Santo Domingo from July 24 to August 8.

Headlining the historic men’s squad for the Commonwealth Games are Anish Ramlall, Travis Belgrave, Christian Hinckson, and Kevin Mickle. The team will benefit from elite tactical leadership, with Kidani Brutus appointed as head coach.

Brutus brings high-level international pedigree to the setup, playing professionally for world-ranked 3×3 powerhouse Team Harlem, having previously represented the United States.

GBF Vice President Rawle Toney will serve as Technical Delegate for the unit.

In a gruelling logistical schedule, Hinckson will fly directly from Scotland to Santo Domingo immediately following the Commonwealth Games to bolster the men’s CAC Games campaign.

In the Dominican Republic, Hinckson will link up with Travis Burnett, Nikkoloi Smith, and Akil Hughes.

Meanwhile, the women’s CAC Games unit features the formidable quartet of Anaya Clemons, DeAngelique Waithe, Jamaicy Ogle, and Ruth Adams.

Experienced tactician Willon Cameron has been handed the reins as head coach for both the men’s and women’s teams in Santo Domingo, while GBF Vice President Jermaine Slater will oversee operations as Technical Delegate.

GBF President Michael Singh hailed the selections as a direct reward for the Federation’s sustained financial and structural investment in the 3×3 format, which has been grown in tandem with traditional five-on-five basketball.

Singh emphasised that this double-qualification reflects years of meticulous planning, capping off an exceptionally busy and successful year for the national programme following the men’s appearance at the FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers and the women’s stint at the FIBA CentroBasket Qualifiers.

The GBF top brass expressed immense confidence in the rosters, noting that the squads boast a healthy blend of the country’s best local talent and seasoned diaspora players—a combination he believes gives Guyana the best edge to compete against the region’s best.

Singh also expressed gratitude to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), stating that the body’s pivotal financial and developmental support has been the cornerstone in exposing Guyanese athletes to the international 3×3 stage.