SUVA (FIBA U18 Oceania Championship) - Guam kicked off their FIBA U18 Oceania Championships campaign in the right fashion, defeating Fiji 64-51 on the first day of competition. Leading the charge was Michael Min, who top scored with 16 points, while adding four steals, three assists and three rebounds.

Min was the standout on a team that moved the ball at a high level in their tournament opener. Despite not being heavily favoured heading into the event, Guam proved they could cause some upsets, and Min is determined to wear a medal around his neck. 

“We are trying to place a medal,” Min said.

“Australia is Australia, but we are trying to beat all the teams out there to place a medal, and gain respect for our home back in Guam. 

“Our goal is mainly to compete at our highest level. We aren’t talking about numbers, first, second or third. We are trying to compete at our greatest capacity and greatest ability.”

The foundations of a medal-winning team aren’t formed overnight. It takes months of hard work, dedication and preparation to adapt the right mind and skillsets to achieve such a lofty goal.

Min understand this, but he believes Guam have been doing everything possible to make their country proud in the tournament.

“We have been preparing for a very long time now,” Min said.

“It’s actually been three months since we started our campaign for the team and we have been going at it. Our coaching staff from the Guam federation and us players; we have been very humbly working hard.

“We have been putting our mind to it every single day at practice and it’s all coming into place.”

Guam had the privilege to begin their medal chase against the host nation, Fiji. Even though they outplayed the Fijians on the court, as Guam’s stellar defence forced the hosts into 37 turnovers, Min didn’t lose sight of how grateful he, and his teammates, are to be playing in the event.   

“First off, I just want to thank the host country Fiji,” Min said.

“They’ve been respectful and very welcoming. They made us feel good coming here. We just wanted to show what we could do on the court. It’s been amazing to compete with them and it was an honour to play with them."

“It’s been a great experience so far.”   

FIBA