Guyana’s senior men’s basketball team will take on regional rivals French Guiana between May 21 – 26 as part of the French-speaking territory’s ‘Guyana Day’ celebrations — a week-long cultural showcase featuring Guyanese arts, entertainment, and sport.
The tour presents a rare opportunity for the national side to compete outside the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) circuit. Among those named in the squad is Anish Ramlall, a U.S.-based guard from St. Cloud State University, whose inclusion highlights the Guyana Basketball Federation’s continued efforts to integrate diaspora talent.
The team will be led by Head Coach Adrian Hooper and Assistant Coach Marlon Rodriguez, with a focus on blending seasoned players with emerging talent.
The squad includes Stanton Rose Jr. (Untouchables), Harold Adams (Royals), Orlan Glasgow (Royals), Jermaine Slatter (Kobras), Zian Gray (Eagles), Travis Belgrave (Eagles), Nikkoloi Smith (Ravens), Shamaar Huntley (Ravens), Denzil Ross (Eagles), Dominic Vincente (Ravens) and Domair Gladstone (Untouchables).
The tour follows Guyana’s recent trip to Suriname, another move aimed at ensuring regular international competition for the national team. The team reached the final of the Nations Cup but were unable to secure the title, suffering a heavy 79-6 defeat to the hosts Suriname on the tournament’s final night in January.
According to the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), these initiatives form part of a broader strategic plan to keep local talent active and exposed to high-level basketball environments.
GBF President Michael Singh shared that the “trip, which also serves as a reward for consistent performances during the One Guyana League, provides our players with the opportunity to experience basketball in a new environment and immerse themselves in a different culture.”
He added: “At the same time, we’re using this momentum to refocus our efforts on revitalising the men’s national programme, with tours like the one to French Guiana serving as incentives for standout performances in the local league.”
Addressing questions around the inclusion of overseas-based Ramlall, Singh said “Diaspora talent is essential if we’re going to advance our basketball programme. Anish has demonstrated a genuine interest in contributing to the development of basketball in Guyana. He travelled here, participated in the One Guyana League, and gave us the chance to evaluate his abilities. I believe he impressed the coaching staff, which led to his selection.”
