The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has called up 13 of their best players to represent the nation this weekend in Barbados. The formal announcement of the team was made on Tuesday evening at a GABF press conference.
Stanton Rose
Initially, the federation had shortlisted 22 players and had them go through rigorous training exercises which began on May 27. Eventually, the list was cut down to the lucky 13 who will test their skill and knowledge against the Bajan team.
In announcing the team, head coach Junior Hercules noted that the players are in fine form for the competition. “The preparation has been tremendous thus far,” he said. The team is comprised of Stanton Rose, Anthony Moe, Shane Webster, Timothy Thompson, Harold Adams, Earlan Glasgow, Kevin Wiggins, Domonique Vincent, Nicholai Smith, Travis Burnett, Chris Williams, Domair Gladstone and Travis Belgrave.
The squad along with Manager and President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds, and Assistant Manager Dennis Clarke will travel to Barbados for three friendly matches scheduled for June 8, 9 and 10 at the Wildey Gymnasium.
Remarkably, the team is being led by its youngest captain ever. Eighteen-year-old Stanton Rose was selected to step up to the plate, owing to his maturity and impressive style of play.
“Across all sports disciplines, I don’t think that Guyana has ever had a captain as young as 18 years of age and I’m saying that he deserves the captaincy based on merit. I spoke to the person who I’ve considered to be the best basketball player Guyana has ever produced locally, Lugard Mohan, and he said age should not be a factor in selecting a captain and I wholly agree with this,” President Nigel Hinds stated regarding Rose’s selection.
Upon return to Guyana, the team will be reviewed and recalls will be made for the upcoming Caribbean Championship that is being hosted in Suriname. Added to that team, the James brothers, Delroy and Gordon, have already confirmed their participation.
The female team will compete first from June 15 to 22 and that will set the momentum for the men who are grouped with Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and Suriname. Their competition will run from June 22 to July 1.
