Basketballs scouts show interest in SVG

Something must be happening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in basketball. So much so that North American scouts, recruits, and coaches are paying renewed interest in the Multi-island State in the southern Caribbean. Lodged between the islands of St. Lucia to the north, Grenada south, and Barbados to the east, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has created some undercurrents on the American Basketball circuit in recent times. {{more}}

Two weeks ago, Sancho Lyttle upset the charts when she was picked Number 5 in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft. Sancho from the area of Rockies overlooking Capital City Kingstown, has been a recent inductee to basketball.

She has leapt phenomenally and will line up for the Houston Comets when the season bounces off May 21.

Wayne Williams, President of the Vincentian basketball Association, was at the Draft staged at the New Jersey Sting Media Centre.

Also this country’s coach, Williams is known for his dedication to basketball.

He is taking the new era with some practicality.

Lyttle’s leap came on the heels of Sophia Young capture of the MVP award in the NCAA Championship. Young led her team Baylor Bears to their first title.

Williams thinks that the renewal of focus on Vincentian sporting talent: “will make it easier for us to get people’s attention.” But he warned, “we have to make sure that we send quality people to represent us.”

Williams has immersed himself in all aspects of the game. And the success of the Vincentian athletes is due in no small measure to his initiative.

Seeing first hand Lyttle’s transformation into immediate celebrity status came as a mild shock for Williams. But he summed it up as a matter of applying the right attitude.

Williams praised Sancho’s dedication to accomplishment of her objectives and reflected on her desire to reach the top from her introduction to the sport.

That was under Williams’ tutelage and encouragement here not so long ago. Lyttle is one of many Vincentians on the American Basketball circuit. Vasha Adams, Orma Fisher, Cheryl Audain, Gailene Gordon, Ayasha Sam, Nicole Sandy and Wendy Young are others yet to make a break out.

He is hoping that with precise support, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be able to field a squad for the Caribbean Basketball Championship carded for May next year.

He is neither overwhelmed nor surprised at his cadres’ successes, see them as stepping-stones to the fulfillment of his mission.

Training for youngsters, officials, coaches and improving the administrative apparatus are aspects the Vincentian coach wants to see instituted.

He is hoping that with persons starting the game here at a younger age, the talent will emerge more readily and there will also be a bigger

He enjoyed the interaction at the Draft, mingling with the Draftees, and coaches, sharing ideas, and entrenching his network.