Guam's men's basketball team will be chasing a third consecutive Pacific Games gold medal after being confirmed as one of the teams to compete at Solomon Islands 2023 ©FIBA

Organisers have confirmed the eight team line-ups for basketball tournament at this year's Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands where the men’s team from Guam will bid for a third consecutive gold medal.

Guam had previously reached five Pacific Games basketball finals but until their successes at Port Moresby 2015 and Samoa 2019 they had never won gold.

For the 2023 Games, due to take place in Honiara between November 19 and December 2, they will be joined by the Guam women's teams.

"Our men’s team are really absolutely focussed on defending the gold medal," Guam Basketball confederation President EJ Calvo said.

"It is an incredible opportunity for both of our national sides to represent Guam at the Pacific Games.

"Basketball culture is strong in Guam, and I know both teams will do their best to inspire our community,"

Guam's men and women have both qualified for the 2023 Pacific Games ©FIBA
Guam's men and women have both qualified for the 2023 Pacific Games ©FIBA

Guam's men sealed their berth at Solomon Islands 2023 by winning the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Micronesian Cup.

FIBA Melanesian Cup winners New Caledonia also qualify, along with silver medallists Papua New Guinea.

Tahiti take their place in the final eight after victory in the FIBA Polynesian Cup alongside Tonga, the silver medallists.

The line-up is completed by the Solomon Islands as host nation and wild cards goes to Fiji and Samoa.

Guam’s women also lifted the FIBA Micronesian Cup to make sure of their place at Solomon Islands 2023 alongside Fiji, winner of the FIBA Melanesian Cup, and runners-up Papua New Guinea.

The Cook Islands took the FIBA Polynesian Cup for the second time in a row to secure qualification.

Silver medallists Samoa have also made sure of their spot.

Wild cards New Caledonia and Tahiti take their places in the tournament alongside the host nation in a tournament notable by the absence of defending champions American Samoa, who beat Fiji 74-53 in the final four years ago. 

The Solomon Islands will take place in the Pacific Games basketball tournament as the host nation ©Facebook
The Solomon Islands will take place in the Pacific Games basketball tournament as the host nation ©Facebook

The Pacific Games serves as  a qualifying event for the Asian Cup and in turn for the FIBA World Cup.

"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 Chinese Taipei," FIBA’s Oceania executive director Amanda Jenkins said.

"Our regional FIBA events and the Pacific Games, provide a valuable pathway for basketball to thrive across Oceania, inspiring the next generation of basketballer."

The Games are scheduled to begin on November 19.