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Pacific Games 2023 Basketball Teams Confirmed
GOLD COAST (Australia) – Teams are confirmed for the Pacific Games, 2023 following the conclusion of regional FIBA events and wildcard selection.
In the men’s competition, Guam qualified as FIBA Micronesian Cup Champions with FIBA Melanesian Cup Winner, New Caledonia qualifying alongside silver medallists, Papua New Guinea. FIBA Polynesian Cup gold medallists, Tahiti and silver medallists, Tonga round out the qualified men’s teams.
Also making the final eight teams for the Pacific Games 2023 are host nation, the Solomon Islands alongside wildcard entries, Fiji, and Samoa.
In the women’s competition, Guam qualified as the FIBA Women’s Micronesian Cup gold medallists with FIBA Melanesian Cup Champions, Fiji qualifying alongside silver medallists, Papua New Guinea. FIBA Polynesian Cup back-to-back champions, the Cook Islands have also qualified with silver medallist Samoa securing their spot to finalise the qualified women’s teams.
In the final eight, host nation, the Solomon Islands will also be participating alongside wildcard entries, New Caledonia, and Tahiti.
Guam Basketball Confederation (GBC) President, EJ Calvo said that the teams from Guam are excited to return to the Pacific Games.
“It is an incredible opportunity for both of our national sides to represent Guam at the Pacific Games,” Calvo said. “Basketball culture is strong in Guam, and I know both teams will do their best to inspire our community."
“Our men’s team are really focussed and absolutely focussed on defending the gold medal while our women have a core group of young athletes eager to work hard and elevate the team to a podium place in 2023.”
FIBA Executive Director - Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said that the Pacific Games provide teams across the region with the opportunity to qualify for the Asia Cup which ultimately led to the FIBA World Cup qualification.
“This is the second time we have used regional qualifiers for the Pacific Games which in turn serve as qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup in both the men’s and women’s competitions,” Jenkins said. “Guam men are a great example of how this pathway is benefiting federations in Oceania, they won the Pacific Games in 2019 and narrowly missed out on FIBA Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers with a narrow loss to Chinses Taipei. They are now in the mix for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 pre-qualifiers.
“Our regional FIBA events and the Pacific Games, provide a valuable pathway for basketball to thrive across Oceania, inspiring the next generation of basketballers. We look forward to the Pacific Games in 2023 and seeing all teams perform on court after 12 months of preparation.”
Pacific Games Chief executive Officer, Andrew Minogue said “The Pacific Games Council and our hosts in the Solomon Islands look forward to the 5on5 competitions at the 2023 Pacific Games and congratulations FIBA on creating excellent qualification pathway for teams.”
“The 2023 Pacific Games are shaping up to be a landmark event for host nation, the Solomon Islands, as well as for sport in the Pacific. The venues construction program is progressing well, and the delivery of the Games is in good hands, with a very capable Games Organising Committee being provided with excellent support from the Solomon Islands Government and donor partners. Basketball, as one of the compulsory sports, will be a real highlight of the Games, with exciting 5on5 as well as 3x3 competitions, with representation from nations across the Pacific.”
MEN'S TEAMS |
WOMEN'S TEAMS |
Guam |
Guam |
New Caledonia |
Fiji |
Papua New Guinea |
Papua New Guinea |
Tahiti |
Cook Islands |
Tonga |
Samoa |
Solomon Islands |
Solomon Islands |
Fiji |
Tahiti |
Samoa |
New Caledonia |
FIBA