After the Samoan local team’s 71-40 landslide victory against Auckland Samoa, Samoa Basketball Federation (SBF) put the wheels in motion for their international games this year ahead of the Pacific Games in November.

The SBF has released its list of the local training squad for the Pacific Games and the FIBA Oceania U-17 Championship in Papua New Guinea.

The Samoa Games, organised by the Government of Samoa and SASNOC, has helped speed up the progress of the selection of their training squad before the Team Samoa trials.

SBF President, Pauga Talalelei Pauga said their week-long competition had helped their players gain experience when taking on overseas rivals.

“Part of the reason behind the Samoa Games Basketball tournament was to prepare our team for the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in September and the Pacific Games," he said. "Our U17 won the Asia Cup last year so they now qualify for the A division which will be in August.

“We have the Pacific Games and we will have trials after that and the Samoa Games helped us prepare for the international games coming up for this year.

“Samoa’s preparation so far is pretty good; our local boys are very good so I’m pretty sure they’re ready. For our women’s teams, the bulk of our players will be from overseas with a few local players who can actually match them but most of them will be from out of Samoa.”

U17 Training Squad for local players for FIBA OCEANIA October 2023

U17 Boys                                   U17 Girls

1. Elika Tuatagalevao        1.Alisi Titi

2. Bitter Uili                         2.Faasili Auelua

3. Shalom Poto                   3.Fialelei Toilolo

4. Maika Pedro                   4. Isara Paramore 

5.Kevin (Laulii)                   5.Ethena Aiavao

6. Maka Auelua                  6. Trinity Atiga

7. Hyrum Craig                   7. Kajrie Tauiliili 

8. Zack Sasulu                   8. Hildegard Matthes

9. Jaroum Stevenson       9. Georgina Alofipo

10. Carlos Vaetoe            10. Devine Leauanae

11. Neals Afamasaga 

12. Sharman Poto

13. Tuna Solomona

14. Mathew Atiga

Women's Pac Games November 2023

Women's  3x3 training squad

1.Olivia Howman

2.Fialauia Hunt

3.Hildergard Matthes

4.Puananai Destiny Pauga

5.Lori Joseph 

6.Haylani Kuruppu

7. Sweetie Hicks

8.Yazenia Tea Lamositele

Local Training Squad for Pac Games November and FIBA Oceania  U17 PNG October 2023

Men 5x5                      Men 3x3

1. Conrad Joseph       1.Semika Chong Nee

2. Wayne Sio                2.Max Fale

3. Euta Collins             3.Dru Ape

4. Mahonri Collins      4.Javarne Hunt

5. Josh Lafoai             5.Marquise Vaili

6.Meki Purcell             6.Petelo Leaupepe 

7.Queson leauanae    7.Dante Joseph 

8.Jarvarne Hunt          8.Toa Kelemete 

9.Devante Keil             9.Victor Keil

10.Egon Keil               10. Egon Keil

11.Tyrell Arp               

12. Marquise Vaili

13. Petelo Leaupepe 

14. Dante Joseph 

15. Tasi Rarotonga

16. Victor Keil

17. Totoa Auvaa

18. Julius Sua