GUAM BASKETBALL CREATES HALL OF FAME

PRESS RELEASE – The Guam Basketball Confederation (GBC) proudly announces the official creation of the Guam National Basketball Hall of Fame, a historic initiative to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions of individuals who have shaped the legacy of the Guam National Basketball Program on the international stage and have inspired our island community.

The inaugural Class of 2025 features six distinguished inductees whose achievements have left an indelible mark:

• Tony Susuico and Joe Taitano – legendary players who led Team Guam to back-to-back Gold Medal victories at the Pacific Games in 1975 and 1979, anchoring Guam’s dominance in the region during the 1970s.
  • Tony “The Helicopter” Susuico was a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, from the village court of Agat to Seattle City College, and back to Guam to lead Team Guam to the top of the Pacific. 
  • Joe Taitano was known for his speed and intensity on both ends of the court. Taitano set the pace and controlled the game, and was one of the first players from Guam to play at the collegiate level at Adams State University before returning to Guam to push Team Guam to historic Gold Medal victories. 
• Webb Smith, Ray Topasna, and Felipe Candaso, National Team Head Coaches, whose leadership and dedication brought historic success to Guam basketball on the international stage.
  • Coach Webb Smith led Team Guam to their first-ever Gold Medal at the Pacific Games (formerly known as the South Pacific Games) in 1975. The games were hosted in Guam, where Team Guam defeated American Samoa convincingly, 97-73. 
  • Coach Ray Topasna led Team Guam to their second straight Gold Medal at the Pacific Games in 1979 in Suva, Fiji, where Team Guam defeated Tahiti in a high-scoring battle 113-106. 
  • Coach Felipe Candaso had success as a coach on every level of basketball in Guam, and as Head Coach of the 1999 Guam Women’s National Team, he accomplished something that no other coach has done. He led the 1999 Guam Women to their first and only medal to date at the Pacific Games, with a Bronze Medal victory at home in Guam against American Samoa, 70-55. 
• Tony Thompson is the first Administrator to be inducted, in recognition of over 20 years of service to the Guam Basketball Confederation.
  • “Thomps” gave more to the Guam National Basketball Program than anyone before him. He served as an Assistant Coach, Head Coach, Secretary General, Board Member, and President. His passion and love for Team Guam were evident in his sacrifice, hard work, and leadership, and he inspired generations of players, coaches, and administrators in Guam. 

“This Hall of Fame is a tribute to the pioneers, trailblazers, motivators, and game changers of Guam basketball,” said E.J. Calvo, GBC President. “These individuals have built a foundation that continues to inspire future generations of athletes and coaches.”

The Guam National Basketball Hall of Fame will continue to grow annually, with a promising list of nominees already being assembled for the Class of 2026. Detailed criteria will be published in the future, and public nomination forms will be made available online.