After a decade of steady grassroots growth, Caribbean island nation Dominica is poised to reach a new landmark in its basketball development: the Dominica Basketball Association (DABA) has officially unveiled the 12-member senior men’s national delegation that will make history as the country’s first senior squad to compete in an official International Basketball Federation (FIBA) tournament at the 2029 AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers.
Dominica’s only prior appearance in any FIBA-sanctioned competition dates back to 2016, when a junior national side took the international court. A full 10 years of incremental progress later, the country’s top senior players will get their first chance to compete on FIBA’s global stage, a milestone that DABA frames as a transformative leap forward for the sport across the island.
For the selected athletes and coaching staff, the pre-qualifier tournament offers far more than just a chance to win games. DABA’s official announcement emphasizes that the international exposure gained from competing against other Caribbean and Atlantic national sides will strengthen the entire national basketball program. It will also create a clearer, more robust development pipeline for young domestic talent aiming to represent Dominica in future international competitions, laying the groundwork for long-term growth of the sport.
The association extended public gratitude to the Dominica Olympic Committee, whose critical financial and logistical support made the team’s historic participation possible. Without the committee’s backing, the milestone debut would not have been achievable, DABA noted.
Leading the delegation is head coach Donnie Robinson, supported by assistant coaches Abdulaziz Sanderson and Yannick Regis. Curlyn Luke will serve as team manager to handle off-court operations, while Carl Munro will fill the role of team physician to care for players’ health throughout the tournament. Dr. Darroux PSC Falcons standout Kijuan Thomas has been appointed team captain to lead the 12-man squad on and off the court.
The full roster, pulled from top domestic club teams across Dominica, includes: Andell Olivacce and Jacob Barry of the Happi 767 Sports Club Dominators; Ethan Boland of Marigot Sunrise; Jaiden Scotland of the BAA Sharks; Karim Daniel, Kijuan Thomas, Ramal Carbon and Yawani Regis of the Dr. Darroux PSC Falcons; Maxwell Birmingham and Zack Bastien of the D Treads Blazers; Nathan Sebastien of the Police Sports Club; and Shamar Felicite of the Happi 767 Sports Club Dominators.
Dominica’s match schedule for the pre-quualifiers sees the side open its historic tournament run against the Turks and Caicos Islands at 5:30 p.m. on the second day of competition. Following that opening matchup, the team will face Guyana at 8:00 p.m. on day three, take on Antigua and Barbuda at 5:30 p.m. on day four, and close out the group stage against Bermuda at 5:30 p.m. on day five.
In its official statement, DABA framed the tournament as an unprecedented new chapter in Dominica’s national basketball history. The association noted that the selected players and staff have earned the once-in-a-generation opportunity to put Dominican basketball on the map by competing on a brand-new international platform.
DABA officially congratulated all 12 players and supporting staff on their selection, acknowledging the months of relentless training and dedication that earned them the honor of representing their country. The association also issued a call to action, encouraging Dominicans living on the island and in the global diaspora to rally behind the team throughout the competition.
Looking back on a decade of progress, DABA highlighted that the jump from 2016’s junior FIBA participation to 2026’s senior debut reflects the consistent, sustained growth of basketball across the island. As they prepare to take the court, Team Dominica is set to represent the “Nature Island” of the Caribbean with pride, discipline, and unwavering determination.