CAYMAN ISLANDS 3x3 TEAMS MAKE HISTORY WITH FIVE-MEDAL CARIBBEAN CUP PERFORMANCE

The Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA) is celebrating an historic performance by its national 3x3 programme after Cayman teams secured five medals across Stops 1 and 2 of the U23 3x3 Caribbean Cup, including two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

The results were highlighted by an extraordinary achievement: every Cayman team competing in the Caribbean Cup finished on the podium.

In Stop 1, the Cayman Islands Women’s Team of Lorrie Brown, Shantell Wilks, Bethany Ebanks and Neandra Forbes-Morgan completed an undefeated tournament to capture gold.

The Cayman Islands Men were equally impressive. Xzavier Miller, Nathaniel Anderson-Hurlston, Alwin Buttrum Jr. and Daric Ebanks also went undefeated, capturing Cayman’s first 3x3 gold medal in their age group and providing another significant milestone for the national programme.

Cayman carried that momentum into Stop 2, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams once again going undefeated during round-robin competition and advancing to their respective championship games.

The Bahamas responded strongly after Stop 1, making adjustments that ultimately gave their teams the advantage in the Stop 2 finals. Cayman therefore finished with silver medals in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions, completing back-to-back championship-game appearances for both national teams.

Cayman’s success extended beyond its two finalists. The Cayman Storm men’s team of Liam Ramoon, Griffin MacDonald, Joshua Barrett and Jordan Dyke captured the bronze medal, ensuring that every Cayman team competing finished the Caribbean Cup with a podium result.

Across the two stops, Cayman’s medal tally was:

• Gold – Cayman Islands Women, Stop 1

• Gold – Cayman Islands Men, Stop 1

• Silver – Cayman Islands Women, Stop 2

• Silver – Cayman Islands Men, Stop 2

• Bronze – Cayman Storm Men, Stop 2

CIBA President Collin Anglin said the results demonstrate both the progress of Cayman’s 3x3 programme and the potential of its young athletes.

“To come away from these tournaments with two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze—and to have every Cayman team finish on the podium—is something we should be extremely proud of as a country. These results show that Cayman can compete with anyone in our region.”

Anglin said the age of the Cayman athletes makes the performance even more encouraging.

“What excites us most is that these teams were primarily made up of 18- and 19-year-olds competing in a U23 division. Many of these players have several more years of eligibility at this level. We are already seeing them compete for championships, so we believe the ceiling for this group is extremely high.”

CIBA views the Caribbean Cup not simply as an opportunity to win medals, but as an important component of the Association’s long-term strategy for developing 3x3 basketball in the Cayman Islands.

Competing in multiple tournament stops provides young Caymanian athletes with valuable experience against regional opposition while teaching them how to adjust tactically, perform under pressure and respond when opponents make changes from one competition to the next.

The five-medal performance adds further momentum to Cayman’s rapidly developing 3x3 programme and provides an encouraging foundation for the international competitions ahead.

Two gold. Two silver. One bronze. Five podium finishes.

For the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean Cup provided another strong indication that the future of 3x3 basketball is bright.