SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The dream run for Guyana’s Men’s 3×3 Basketball team at the CAC Games came to a somber and premature conclusion on Tuesday evening, as the squad suffered a second consecutive loss in Pool A play, falling 15-10 to Haiti. The defeat was overshadowed, however, by a serious injury to key player Akil Hughes, who was rushed to a local hospital following a frightening incident late in the contest.
The Golden Arrowhead pride took the court against the Haitians with a fierce determination to bounce back from an earlier 21-9 loss to a seasoned Puerto Rican squad. The opening game saw experience prove decisive, with Puerto Rico’s tactical play outpacing Guyana’s hustle. Yet, the team showed no signs of surrender when they faced Haiti, battling with relentless energy in what was a must-win scenario.
Against Haiti, the Guyanese defense held firm for much of the contest. Christian Hinickson and Akil Hughes led the scoring charge for Guyana, each contributing 3 points in a gritty performance. For Haiti, Fitz Salvant was the standout with 8 points, supported by Jean Ulysse (5) and Kervenson Blanc (2). Despite the fight, a late surge from the Haitians proved too much, sealing Guyana’s fate with a 15-10 final score.
GM1 vs. PUR (9 pts)
Christian Hinickson – 4 pts
Travis Burnett – 2 pts
Nikkoloi Smith – 2 pts
Akil Hughes – 1 pt
GM2 vs. HAI (10 pts)
Christian Hinickson – 3 pts
Akil Hughes – 3 pts
Travis Burnett – 2 pts
Nikkoloi Smith – 2 pts
In 2 Games
Average Points per Game – 9.5
Total Points – 19
Akil Hughes Injury Scare
The final minutes of the matchup, however, transcended the game itself. With 3:48 left on the clock, Akil Hughes suffered a severe throat/neck injury that brought the contest to a terrifying halt. The court fell silent as medical staff rushed to his side, administering immediate care before transporting him to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
As of this writing, the Guyana basketball family awaits anxiously for updates on Hughes’ condition.
“Our brother Akil Hughes is a warrior, and right now, all that matters is his well-being,” a team spokesperson stated following the incident. “We are holding onto hope and asking the entire nation to join us in lifting Akil, his family, and the medical team caring for him in prayer. We love you, Akil. Stay strong.”
The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has requested that the public respect the privacy of Akil Hughes and his family during this time and has promised to share further information regarding his condition as soon as it becomes available.
The day marked the end of the CAC Games journey for the men’s team. While the results were not what they envisioned, the squad’s effort and pride in the Golden Arrowhead colors were never in question. The heartbreaking losses, coupled with Hughes’s injury, cast a pall over the tournament, but the team remains resolute in its belief that the future of Guyanese basketball is bright.
“Thank you to our men for wearing the colors with honor. You left it all on the court,” the team said in a post-game reflection. “This is just one chapter; the journey doesn’t end here. It fuels the fire for what’s next. Keep your heads high, champions.”