St. Vincent and the Grenadines will return to the international basketball stage for the first time in eight years when the Men’s Senior National Basketball Team competes at the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers in Georgetown, Guyana, from July 6 to 13.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF) has officially announced a 20-member delegation that will represent the country at the regional tournament, where ten Caribbean nations will compete for two coveted places in the next phase of the FIBA AmeriCup qualification process.
The competition marks Team SVG’s first appearance in an international tournament since competing in Suriname in 2018, making it a significant milestone in the continued development of Vincentian basketball.
As part of its preparations, the national team will depart for Trinidad and Tobago on July 3 to participate in a three-day training camp at the Eastern Regional Sports Complex before travelling to Guyana on July 6. The Federation noted that the overseas camp is necessary because St. Vincent and the Grenadines currently does not have an indoor wooden basketball facility that meets international competition standards.
Team SVG has been drawn in a competitive Group B alongside Barbados, Grenada, Haiti and the Cayman Islands. Only the top team from each of the tournament’s two groups will advance to the next stage of qualification, increasing the importance of every game.
The Vincentians will open their campaign against Grenada on Wednesday, July 8, before facing the Cayman Islands on Friday, July 10. They will then take on Haiti on Saturday, July 11, before concluding the group stage against Barbados on Sunday, July 12.
The playing squad features a blend of experienced national players and emerging talent. Representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Sean Baptiste, Opong Bramble, Shamore Charles, Tyler Fraser, Darreo Glasgow, Jermaine John, Elton Joseph, Phillip Lawrence-Ricks, Hosea Martindale-DeFreitas, Brendon Smart, Steveon Taylor, Chrisford Telesford and Shad Thomas.
The delegation will be led by SVGBF President Suzette Jackson as Head of Delegation, while Sabrina Mitchell will serve as Team Manager and Chef de Mission. Justin Scott will guide the squad as Head Coach, assisted by Randolph “Sticky” Williams. The delegation also includes Social Media Manager Ella Mitchell-Sutton, Team Physiotherapist Shirnan Jacobs and Team Doctor Dr. Rico Audain.
The Basketball Federation expressed appreciation to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vincentians in the Diaspora, local sponsors, community donors and supporters whose financial contributions have made the team’s participation possible.
Special recognition was given to NBA legend Adonal Foyle and the Kerosene Lamp Foundation, along with Burton Williams, who organized an online GoFundMe campaign in support of the national team.
With preparations entering their final phase, the Federation says Team SVG is determined to make a strong impression in Guyana and compete for a place in the next round of the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 qualification campaign.