By Robert Balajadia
Guam’s Mens Basketball Gold Medal in the 2015 Pacific Games was just the beginning of a bright future for Guam’s basketball community. The latest achievement has ensured Guam’s foot in the door for a chance to compete in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China and also a spot in the 2021 Asia Cup.
Guam first has to make it out of a lineup of stiff competition in 2017 where a pool of 16-24 teams will be competing for a limited amount of eight spots in the 2019 World Cup.
Guam’s basketball brass in Men’s Head Coach EJ Calvo and FIBA President Tony Thompson, along with FIBA Oceania regional director David Crocker met with the media Friday morning at the Sheraton Laguna Resort to discuss the future in store for Guam basketball.
With the changes on the horizon, Guam basketball is destined for a tune-up, which includes the youth and women’s programs. Crocker is on island not only to discuss what Guam is capable of reaching within the next decade, but also to ensure that the pathway is open and stays open by means of finding funding and setting up a basketball head quarters.
The weekend won’t slow down during Crockers stay with a hefty lineup of meetings taking over the weekend. Those include meetings with the IIAAG and the GYBA Board Members on Sunday.
Crocker also explained that Guam would be able to host home games with the new system in place, something that not even the likes of basketball power houses New Zealand and Australia have been able to do.
For a more detailed explanation of the games check the video below!
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