January 14, 2025
Training for the 23 shortlisted players for the upcoming “Nations Cup” basketball tournament has concluded, and now it’s up to Head Coach Adrian Hooper and his team to make their final selection.
The tournament, set to take place from January 24 to 27 in Paramaribo, Suriname, will see Guyana’s basketball team face off against strong regional rivals Suriname and Grenada.
Coach Hooper expressed confidence in the squad during the weekend’s training sessions.
“We’ve shortlisted 22 players, and the guys came out in numbers, giving their best,” said Hooper.
“Now, we’ll go back to the drawing board, narrowing it down to 15 players, and then ultimately to the final 12 who will be traveling.”
Hooper emphasized the importance of selecting the best team to represent Guyana, mixing youth and experience for a balanced squad.
“This is my second time coaching the national team. It’s been a great experience, and I’m confident we’ll select the best players for this Tri-Nations series,” Hooper added.
With tough competition ahead, Coach Hooper plans to focus on defense.
“We’ll be facing taller and bigger teams, so it’s crucial to focus on defense to limit their scoring and stop transition baskets.”
By the end of the week, the squad will be narrowed down to 15 players before the final 12 are chosen for the tournament.