Coach Ryan Burns confident of Solomons Basketball squad for Samoa Games

Solomon Islands National Basketball Head Coach Ryan Burns is optimistic that the men's and women's squads will compete well in the upcoming SPG in Apia, Samoa.

"The training has been excellent and for both squads since January the 8th. We train six days a week which is good and this Sunday the men's and women's squad will play two Honiara select", says Coach Burns. "Both games are part of their preparations for the SPG in Samoa"

Coach Ryan Burns stated that a final selection should be made tomorrow. The men's squad of sixteen will therefore trim down to twelve players only. Coach Burns indicated that overseas based players will be eligible for selection as well.

"The other issue here is the availability of US based player Waige Turureke and Anthony Prince in New Zealand. There are also two other players who are still in Fiji" said coach Burns. "Waige will arrive on the 5th of June before the tour to Brisbane on the 14th"

According to Burns there is also a possibility that players may have to be sidelined from the final team list if overseas based players arrive in the country.

Asked about the chances of Solomon Islands, Coach Burn had this to say "John Hoyle, the Oceania Basketball officer who has toured the Pacific countries, says that the National team's potential has the competitive ability to make the top four in the SPG"

Source: Solomon Times