Cayman’s basketball talents continue to fiercely battle against a strong field at the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2025 Americas 2 tournament, currently underway in Punta Arenas, Chile, proving their resilience on the international stage.
This elite competition, a vital pathway to the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in China later this year, is providing invaluable experience and fostering significant growth for both the men’s and women’s national teams.
The tournament kicked off on 21 July with the men’s team putting up a resilient fight against Canada, falling 21-15, before nearly upsetting Chile with a 21-17 finish later that day.
The women’s team faced tough challenges against regional powerhouses, losing to Canada 22-5 and the USA 21-2.
Despite the scorelines, these initial games were crucial learning opportunities, as the Cayman Islands Basketball Association President Collin Anglin noted on Instagram, “We’re not just here to participate – we’re here to build. These athletes are laying the foundation for a new era of Cayman basketball.”
Day two of the tournament presented a challenge for both teams as they battled Canada, ultimately succumbing to scores of 21-2 for the women and 21-4 for the men.
Nevertheless, both teams displayed encouraging development later that day with the women scoring eight points against Chile before a 21-8 loss, while the men pushed USA deep into their game, ultimately falling 21-13.
The men’s team delivered their most impressive performance yet on day three, going toe-to-toe with the undefeated USA.
In a tightly contested battle, Cayman pushed the Americans throughout the game before an 18-13 loss, showcasing their growing confidence and capability.
The winner of a FIBA 3×3 game is the first team to score 21 points, or the team with the higher score at the 10-minute mark.
The women’s team, facing Chile for the second time, continued to demonstrate effort and commitment despite a 21-5 result, building chemistry in their first Nations League appearance for the majority of the squad.
Friday’s action
After a much-needed rest day on Thursday, 24 July, the teams are back in action.
The tournament resumed on Friday with both Cayman teams facing Canada again, but neither were able to secure a win against the powerhouse. The women lost 21-3, and the men fell 22-4.
The Cayman women later faced the USA, losing 21-3 in a game where captain Lyandrea Watson sustained an injury, leaving her status for tomorrow uncertain.
Shortly after, Cayman men closed off the day strong against Chile but were unable to secure the win having lost 21-11.
Under the guidance of coach Duran ‘Trinni’ Whittaker, the men’s tournament team features captain Nathaniel Hurlston-Anderson, Bryan Ebanks-Perez, Brad Lansdell, Alwin Buttrum, Umar Gordon and Toure Montague.
The women’s tournament team, coached by Wendy Manzanares, is led by captain Lyandrea Watson and includes Annika Moore, Jamie Rankin-Maize, Bethany Ebanks, and Soleya Manzanares.
The remaining two-day schedule is packed with challenging matchups.
Saturday brings repeat matchups against Canada for both Cayman teams, and then the women play Chile while the men face the USA in the evening.
The tournament concludes on Sunday with the women’s team facing Chile at 4:20pm (2:20pm Cayman time) and the men’s team taking on the USA at 4:45pm (2:45pm Cayman time).
