The FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, a five-day tournament hosted in Guyana from Wednesday to Sunday, has wrapped up group stage play, with St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) securing third place in Group B. The national side delivered two standout early wins before dropping its final two matches, capping off a competitive run on the regional basketball stage.
SVG got its tournament campaign off to a flying start, opening with an 85-66 triumph over neighboring Grenada. The team carried that momentum into its second matchup, notching a dominant 96-63 victory against the Cayman Islands to position itself well in the group standings. However, stiff competition in the final two games halted SVG’s winning streak: first, Haiti pulled ahead to claim a 100-66 win over the Vincentian side, followed by a close 96-84 defeat at the hands of Barbados in the tournament’s final group game.
When the dust settled on Group B play, Barbados finished atop the standings undefeated, followed by Haiti in second, SVG in third, the Cayman Islands in fourth, and Grenada in fifth. Only the top two teams advance to the next round of qualification, ending SVG’s 2029 AmeriCup run at the pre-qualifier stage.
In the closing matchup against Barbados, young rookie Shad Thomas once again emerged as SVG’s offensive engine, notching his third consecutive game as the team’s leading scorer. Thomas finished the contest with an impressive all-around stat line: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Fresh off signing his first-ever professional contract with Spain’s Bisbal Bàsquet for the 2026-2027 season following the end of his collegiate career, Thomas’ performance reinforced his reputation as one of SVG’s most exciting emerging basketball talents.
In an official press release following the tournament, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF) extended warm congratulations to the entire roster for representing the nation with consistent passion and determination. The organization also singled out Head Coach Justin Scott, Assistant Coach Randolph “Sticky” Williams, and every member of the team delegation for their unwavering dedication and professionalism throughout the competition.
Special recognition was also given to Suzette Jackson, head of delegation and SVGBF President, and Sabrina Mitchell, Team Manager and Chef de Mission. The federation credited their commitment and organizational leadership with enabling the team to compete successfully at the international event.
The tournament also marked an emotional milestone, as the SVGBF paid tribute to three retiring veteran national players: Team Captain Chrisford Telesford, Phillip Lawrence-Ricks, and Sean Baptiste, who are stepping back from international play to pass the torch to the next generation of Vincentian basketball talent. Telesford and Lawrence-Ricks represented the national side starting in 2018, while Baptiste first wore the SVG jersey back in 2011, racking up more than a decade of service to the national program.
“Their leadership, commitment and experience have left an indelible mark on the country,” the release noted. The SVGBF announced plans to keep the three veterans involved in the nation’s basketball development through coaching roles, mentorship initiatives, and player development programs, ensuring their decades of knowledge and on-court experience continue to benefit future iterations of the national team.
The federation also extended gratitude to all public and private supporters that made the team’s participation possible, including the SVG government, corporate sponsors, private donors, and former Vincentian NBA player Adonal Foyle and his Kerosene Lamp Foundation.
“While the journey to qualification has come to an end, the executive remains proud of the team’s performance and the resilience displayed throughout the competition,” the release said. Organization leaders emphasized that the experience gained at the pre-qualifiers will serve as a critical building block for future growth, reaffirming the SVGBF’s commitment to growing the sport and creating new opportunities for Vincentian players at all levels.
Looking ahead, the SVGBF said it will continue building on the momentum generated over the past year, advancing its mission under the campaign banner #REBOUND. The initiative centers on working tirelessly to revive, strengthen, and elevate basketball across every community in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.