The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has announced that its U-23 national team and coach will be dispatched to a high-performance 3x3 basketball training camp held in Paraguay from June 9th to 13th. This training camp was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguay Olympic Committee, ahead of the Junior Pan Am Games scheduled to take place in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 9th to 23rd.
The roster for the Guyana U-23 3x3 national team participating in this training camp includes Stephen George, Anish Ramlall, Domitre Ranking, and Arren Vanlewin. These are all promising young players, and they aim to further develop their skills through this high-performance training and achieve good results at the Junior Pan Am Games.
Leading the team as coach is Willon Cameron, who holds a degree in Sports Coaching from the University of the West Indies and a FIBA Level 2 coaching certification. Currently a physical education teacher at President's College, Cameron is recognized for his exceptional ability in nurturing young talent, particularly known as a successful coach who has led the Colts Basketball Club to consecutive national championships. Under his guidance, the Guyana U-23 national team is expected to focus on enhancing their tactical understanding and strengthening team cohesion.
Looking at the selected players, Arren Vanlewin, 19 years old, hails from Kwakwani and plays for the Untouchables team. He already has international experience, having represented Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG). Anish Ramlall, also 19, is currently a student-athlete at St. Cloud State University. The GBF acknowledges his consistent dedication and anticipates further growth through this training camp.
Stephen George is an 18-year-old promising talent playing for the Amelia’s Ward Jets team. The GBF views him as a gifted player who will lead the future of Guyanese basketball and plans to maximize his potential through this training. Domitre Ranking, 19 years old and a member of the Colts Basketball Club, is actively supported by the GBF for development into the senior national team program. This Paraguay training camp is expected to be a crucial stepping stone in his growth journey.
Michael Singh, President of the GBF, stated in a press release, "The GBF welcomes the opportunity for our young players to experience the 3x3 format, which holds a high priority in the vision for basketball in Guyana." He also expressed deep confidence in Coach Cameron, adding, "We also welcome the opportunity for our coaches, and Coach Cameron is well-deserving. He has worked consistently to become qualified, and his track record with youth development, particularly at President’s College, speaks volumes."
3x3 basketball is a format actively promoted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), characterized by its dynamic and fast-paced gameplay, distinct from 5-on-5 basketball. Played on a smaller court with three players on each team alternating between offense and defense, games are played for 10 minutes or until a team reaches 21 points. Its inclusion as an official sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has further increased its importance and popularity, and it is gaining attention as a sport that offers new opportunities for young athletes. Guyana is also focusing on developing 3x3 basketball in line with this international trend, and this Paraguay training camp can be seen as part of that effort.
Paraguay, the host of this training camp, is one of the strong basketball nations in South America, possessing high-level training facilities and experienced coaching staff. The Guyana U-23 national team is expected to enhance their practical playing skills by experiencing Paraguay's advanced training system and interacting with local players. In particular, directly experiencing the South American basketball style ahead of the Junior Pan Am Games will be a valuable asset for the Guyanese players.
Through this training camp, the GBF plans to focus not only on improving the individual skills of the players but also on strengthening teamwork and enhancing their adaptability to international competitions. Under the guidance of Coach Cameron, the players will prepare to showcase their best performance at the Junior Pan Am Games through intensive physical training, tactical drills, and realistic sparring sessions.
The Junior Pan Am Games is an important international multi-sport event where young athletes from across the Americas gather to compete. Fierce competition is expected in basketball, and the Guyana U-23 national team will have a significant opportunity to test their competitiveness and gain experience on the international stage. Participating in this Paraguay training camp is a practical preparatory step for this competition.
The GBF expressed its gratitude to the Guyana Olympic Association for their cooperation in making this training camp possible and pledged to continue working together for the development of all disciplines of basketball in Guyana. The GOA also actively supports strengthening the international competitiveness of Guyana's young athletes, and its support for the 3x3 national team's Paraguay training camp is seen as part of these efforts.
The participation of the Guyana U-23 3x3 national team in the Paraguay high-performance training camp is expected to be an important step forward in brightening the future of Guyanese basketball. Through the growth of young players, the strengthening of coaching staff capabilities, and the accumulation of international experience, Guyanese basketball will be able to grow into a more competitive team on the international stage. Continued cooperation and investment from the GBF and GOA are expected to have a positive impact on the development of basketball in Guyana.
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