SEVERAL overseas-based Guyanese players are set to return home to compete in the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) National 3×3 Championship, with veteran forward Delroy James among the headline names confirmed for action.
The tournament, slated for September 27–28 at the Seawall Bandstand, promises to blend high-level basketball with one of Georgetown’s most scenic and vibrant weekend spots.
For the GBF, it’s a bold move to take the sport to the coastline, combining the fast-paced half-court game with the historic and buzzing Seawall atmosphere.
This year’s championship will play a pivotal role in selecting the national team that will represent Guyana at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in León, Mexico, from November 27–30.
The AmeriCup stands as one of the most prestigious events in the Americas, drawing elite 3×3 squads from across North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
For the first time in Guyana, the National 3×3 Championship will be contested on a FIBA-certified surface and tiles, the same standard used at major international tournaments. GBF president Michael Singh said the new playing conditions will elevate the competition.
“The surface is important, and we’re happy to have it in Guyana for the first time,” Singh explained. “It’s the same used at tournaments like the AmeriCup, and we’re doing everything possible to raise the standard and quality of 3×3 basketball locally.”
A record 16 teams will take part this year, up from 10 in 2023. Defending champions Renegades will be aiming to retain their title, but with a bolstered field, including star-studded lineups of local and international talent, the path to glory looks far tougher.
The eventual winners will take home $500,000, with $200,000, $100,000, and $50,000 going to second, third, and fourth place, respectively.
James, who has represented Guyana in the 3×3 format at the 2022 AmeriCup, will suit up with the Predators, joined by fellow AmeriCup teammate Shelroy Thomas, Ray Victor (British Virgin Islands–based), and rising 18-year-old big man Jaden Simon.
“This is important for us at the GBF, to see all our top players in action locally, so we can select the best players for Mexico,” Singh said.
Other overseas-based standouts expected to feature include Berchell Glenn (leading Georgetown’s team), Deylon Bovell, and Akeem Ellis, all vying for a spot on the final national roster.
Singh highlighted the Federation’s commitment to transparency in selection, noting that Guyana has been one of the Caribbean’s most consistent participants at the AmeriCup, missing only last year’s tournament in Puerto Rico due to unforeseen circumstances.
This year, preparation will go a step further. Once the national team is selected, Singh revealed that plans are underway to have them compete in multiple international 3×3 circuit stops, ensuring the squad is battle-tested against elite opposition before stepping onto the court in Mexico.
At last year’s championship, Renegades, featuring Jude Corlette, Travis Belgrave, Nikkoloi Smith, and Dominic Vincente, defeated a formidable Linden side boasting Harold Adams, Shane Webster, Shelroy Thomas, and Orlan Glasgow with a 21–15 victory in the final at the National Gymnasium.
Belgrave, Vincente, Adams, and Smith went on to represent Guyana at the 3×3 AmeriCup, gaining vital experience despite tough competition.