Guyana down French Guiana in Nations Cup

…set up title showdown with Suriname

Guyana’s men’s national basketball team opened their Nations Cup campaign in commanding fashion on Saturday evening, defeating French Guiana 65-51 at the Ismay van Wilgen Sports Hall in Paramaribo, Suriname.
In a game that showcased the team’s depth and discipline, Guyana delivered an all-round team performance, setting the tone early and never allowing their opponents to find sustained rhythm.
The victory set up a decisive clash against host nation Suriname that was scheduled for Sunday evening, with the winner crowned champions of the tri-nation tournament.
Guyana entered the contest knowing the stakes. Suriname had already beaten French Guiana on Friday, meaning Saturday’s result ensured a winner-take-all showdown.

The matchup also carries added motivation for the Guyanese side, who finished behind Suriname at last year’s tournament, also held in the Dutch-speaking South American nation.
Head Coach Adrian Hooper would have been eager for redemption against a familiar rival.
Offensively, Guyana spread the load efficiently. One player led the way with a team-high 14 points, while Travis Belgrave added 10 in a strong supporting role. Akiel Hughes chipped in with nine, highlighting the balanced scoring effort that kept French Guiana on the back foot throughout the contest.
French Guiana fought hard but struggled to close the gap. Fzedizique Yann produced a game-high 14 points in a losing effort, as his team ended the tournament without a win.
Guyana’s roster features Domair Gladstone, Zian Gray, Nikkoli Smith, Travis Belgrave, Shelroy Thomas, Oquacey Shortt, Kimmol Grimmond, Akiel Hughes, Domitre Rankin, Jermaine Slater, and Daniel Benjamin.
According to the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), participation in the Nations Cup forms part of a broader vision for the sport.
While the men prepare for the upcoming Caribbean Championship, the women’s national team are set to assemble for the CentroBasket tournament later this year, building on their runner-up finish at last year’s regional event hosted in Guyana.