MANGILAO (Guam) – With the FIBA Under 15 Oceania Championships tipping off, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) men are ready to embrace the opportunity and compete against the best in Oceania.

“This is a huge opportunity for our FSM to come here and compete for the first time.” Head Coach, Ryan Yamada said.  “We have been preparing for three months and with the support of lots of families, we are here and grateful that the boys have this opportunity to be exposed to a high level of basketball.”

Training five days a week with just the weekends off, the FSM contingent rallied to assemble a tough team with a balanced group leading the way on and off the court.

“We are not a big team; however, we all have big hearts, our key players include Joshua (Iehsi-Panuelo), Kody (Akinaga), the twins (Ryu and Yu Nakasone), Daniel (Amor) and Youser (Ladore),” said Coach Yamada.  “They are the most experienced and with the support of the others, these boys are going to play with their hearts.”

Competing in their first FIBA U15 Oceania Championships, FSM are not just here to be another number and aim put their best foot forward for a spot on the podium.

“We are here to win,” Coach Yamanda said.  “It will also be great to get to know others, increase that sportsmanship and see how we can better ourselves going back after this competition to improve and develop basketball back on our islands.  We want to continue to grow and develop basketball in the region so we can keep coming to these events.”

A definite wildcard in the competition, FSM tip off their campaign against the Northern Mariana Islands on day one of the competition.

The FIBA U15 Oceanian Championships serve as qualifiers for the FIBA U16 Asian Championships 2023 with the top two teams going through.  The FIBA U15 Oceania Championships will be hosted in Guam from November 21 to November 26 - Follow the event here!

FIBA