KALA Guiste, President of the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation (SLBF), demands that players adopt a more aggressive approach as they engage in the 2024 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup – the fourth edition of this prestigious continental championship.
Running from December 12-15 at Distrito T-Mobile in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this event presents a crucial opportunity for Team Saint Lucia. The team, composed of Troy Louison, Shamoir Jn Baptiste, Cletuson Leon, and Clayton Williams, with Melissa John as the coach, is seeded 12th out of 33 teams.
Veterans Jn Baptiste and Louison, who played pivotal roles in the team’s stunning upset over Argentina in 2021, bring invaluable experience. Leon, the sole player under 30, is ready for his second outing, while Williams will make his national debut in this competitive format.
Guiste acknowledged that preparations faced significant setbacks, primarily due to difficulties accessing the island’s only covered facility amidst challenging weather conditions.
Looking ahead, Guiste stated that the SLBF is committed to developing 3X3 basketball year-round, alongside the traditional five-a-side game.
“FIBA considers 3X3 a key pillar in the growth of basketball in our region. We must prioritize it,” Guiste stated. “Our last affiliates meeting underlined the need for a serious discussion post-tournament to advance our plans.”
Nevertheless, Guiste firmly believes that this does not compromise the overall development of the sport. “3X3 is the dynamic aspect of basketball where technical skills are immediately tested. If your technique is lacking, you won’t enjoy the game. We need to strike the right balance in technical development,” he asserted.
Guiste also announced strong intentions for Saint Lucia to field a women’s team in the 2025 AmeriCup. Following participation in Martinique earlier this year, a women’s team from the University of Guyana will be visiting next year, underscoring the ongoing development in women’s basketball.
Unlike the traditional 5-on-5 format, 3×3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and a 12-second shot clock. The game is fast-paced, continuously in motion; teams must clear the ball behind the 2-point line after a made basket, defensive rebound, or steal.
Victory is claimed by the first team to score 21 points through 1-point and 2-point field goals, or by having the lead when time expires.
With their experience, fourth-year veterans Louison and Jn Baptiste are confident of advancing at a minimum. Louison stated, “We fully intend to emerge from the qualifiers and progress through the group stage based on our years of experience. We will be facing teams that are new to the tournament.”
Jn Baptiste added, “This time, we are better prepared mentally and physically. Our goal is clear: to reach the next round. The first year was a wake-up call, but we aim to surpass the qualifying rounds this time.”
The SLBA president specifically highlighted the contribution of debutant Williams, known for his scoring prowess in the local league, and Cletuson, who brings added aggression in his second year.
Guiste concluded, “The introduction of these two new players has made us quicker, and we must leverage that advantage effectively.”