BABA names team for the FIBA AMERICUP Pre qualifiers

Barbados Amateur Basketball Association President Francis Williams has expressed confidence in the national squad selected for the FIBA AMERICUP Pre qualifiers, describing the final team as the product of an extremely competitive selection process.

Barbados will compete in Group B alongside Haiti, Grenada, Cayman Islands and St Vincent and the Grenadines, with only the group winner advancing to the next stage of qualification for the FIBA AmeriCup 2029.

The qualifiers will be held from July 8–12 in Guyana.

“We believe the final squad reflects the best combination of talent, experience, and commitment available to represent the country. We thank every player who participated in the trials for their effort

and dedication,” Williams said.

Head Coach Devan Blair, who oversaw the national team efforts for the past five years, will be unavailable due to his professional commitments with the New York Knicks during the upcoming NBA Summer League.

As a result current Assistant Coach Charles Vanderpool will assume the role of Head Coach in Guyana, alongside Assistant Coach Harley Borish of the Houston Rockets.

“We also extend our gratitude to Coach Blair for the work he invested in the

programme and wish him continued success with the Knicks organisation,” Williams said. “We have full confidence in Charles and Harley’s ability to guide the team through the competition as we pursue qualification”.

Vanderpool said he was honoured to lead the national team. 

“It is a privilege to represent Barbados as Head Coach. Coach Blair has laid a strong foundation, and it is upon this foundation that we will continue to build as we prepare for a competitive tournament,” he said. “The players have worked hard throughout the selection process, and we have assembled a group that is committed to representing Barbados with

pride, discipline, and togetherness.”

The full squad:

Deroni Hurley- C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics

Kyrone Alexander- Boston University

Rasheed Maynard- Burger King Clapham Bulls

Carl Thorpe Jr- KFC Pinelands

Akeem Marsh- Burger King Clapham Bulls

Simeon Maynard- Burger King Clapham Bulls

Kiserian Adams- C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics

Kemar Benn- Bluefield State University

Deveron Knight- Fusionz Boutique Station Hill Cavaliers

Keefe Birkett- Island Care Ambulance & BodyxB Lakers

Joel Hunte- C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics

Antoine Winter- PremiumFit Bears.

(KH/PR)