Captain of Guyana’s CBC team Rawle Marshall seems highly optimistic about being successful at the tournament which bounces off on Tuesday July 1 in Tortola, as the Guyanese team departs today.

“Our team is just lacking size, but I like our chances,” Marshall told Chronicle on Friday evening after the team’s final practice session at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

While admitting that size will be a factor, Marshall sated “how much of a factor it would be depends on what we come up against but guys will have to make the adjustment, guys will have to step up to help protect the basket. I know I will have to get in there and try to use my height, get rebounds, block shots and play all-round basketball to help this team win. We will take that one game at a time.”

Marshall is the highest profile Guyanese player on the team and expectations are high as it relates to him leading the team at the tournament; and the 32 year-old has willingly accepted the challenge but said it would take a collective effort to hoist the trophy.

“As you know, I’ve played in the NBA and many years in Europe but playing at the CBC tournament will be no different. It’s the same challenge just that in Europe, it’s a bit faster, more talent and guys are more physical but I would want to put the CBC tournament right up there and play just as hard as I did in the NBA and as I do in Europe,” Marshall said.

Asked about the composition of the team, Marshall said “it is what it is and we’ll have to go there and play with what we have. We have guys who are all hungry; guys who are all happy to go represent Guyana, and we’ll have to build on that and give this our best. I’ve had a lot of basketball challenges in my life and I was able to find ways to overcome them and this is no different.”

“I keep telling the guys we will have to play together; that’s the only way we could get the job done at the tournament. I’m not worried about myself because I know that when need I can and will step up, but it’s not about me. I’ve learnt in basketball, individual skills can’t really make a team win and it would take us playing together,” Marshall noted.

The preparation of the team, according to the captain could’ve been a bit better as he orated, “I wanted to see a couple of things happen but it didn’t, but what I want to stress on is the fact that we’ll need to get each other’s back on the court. Guys like ‘Suga’ (Dwayne Roberts), Ifill (Andrew), Klaiber (Gordon), Kanhai (Akeem), Andre (DeFlorimonte) – they will have to step up but I think we’re ready”.

“This is what it all comes down to. All the training, guys learning the plays, guys had been working hard, just for this. It’s the reason why I’m here and why I’m excited. I’m so excited about going out there and represent Guyana because it’s something that I wanted to do for a long time and I’m sure these guys feel the same way like me,” the former NBA player said.
Written By Rawle Toney