Guyana Men’s Basketball team tips off 2026 campaign at Nations Cup in Suriname

Guyana’s senior men’s national basketball team tips off its regional season this weekend as they compete in the Nations Cup tri-nation tournament in Suriname, marking an important first step in what promises to be a demanding and defining year for the programme.

The Guyanese open the tournament on January 31 against French Guiana before matching up with hosts Suriname on Sunday, February 1.

For the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), the tournament is the launchpad for preparations ahead of this year’s Men’s Caribbean Championship and the beginning of a packed 2026 calendar.

Head Coach Adrian Hooper, assisted by Marlon Rodrigues, will guide the squad, while Warren Wilson serves as team manager.

The roster reflects a deliberate mix of experience and youth, featuring Domair Gladstone, Zian Gray, Nikkoli Smith, Travis Belgrave, Shelroy Thomas, Oquacey Shortt, Kimmol Grimmond, Akil Hughes, Domitre Rankin, Jermaine Slater and Daniel Benjamin.

According to Hooper, the squad’s composition signals a transition period for the national programme. He explained that the team blends established senior players with emerging talents who recently made strong impressions in the One Guyana Premier League basketball tournament.

“We have senior players who understand the demands of international basketball, and we’re also bringing in younger players who have earned their opportunity. Their performances locally showed they are ready to take this next step,” Hooper noted.

Preparation, however, has not been without its challenges.

Hooper admitted that the availability of several key players affected the team’s build-up, but he remains confident in the group selected.

“While we didn’t have everyone we would have liked in camp, the players here have worked hard, and I believe this team can give a good account of itself,” he said.

Facing French Guiana presents a unique test, according to Hooper, who pointed out that Guyana is not accustomed to playing them at the senior level outside of the Inter Guiana Games, which is primarily a youth tournament.

Meanwhile, GBF President Michael Singh explained that the Nations Cup is part of a broader vision for the sport. With an ambitious year ahead, the Federation is balancing development across genders and formats.

Singh highlighted that while the men prepare for the Caribbean Championship, the women’s national team will soon assemble for the CentroBasket tournament later this year, building on their runner-up finish at last year’s regional tournament hosted in Guyana.