PHILIPSBURG:--- The Reason for Hope Foundation is set to make a major impact on Caribbean basketball with the launch of the "Bring Ya Best (BYB)" Invitational Basketball Tournament. The anticipated event is scheduled for July 12–18, 2026, at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium on Long Wall Road, St. Maarten.
The week-long invitational tournament will bring together elite teams from across the Caribbean and North America, creating what organizers hope will become one of the region’s premier basketball events.
Founded in 2024, the Reason for Hope Foundation focuses on youth development, community empowerment, and bridging the gap between sports, tourism, and entertainment. The BYB tournament represents the organization's first major international
sporting event. This tournament is also about creating an experience that equally showcases St. Maarten as a destination and its sports tourism.
According to the President of the Reason for Hope Foundation, Shabazz Buchanan, the tournament is also designed to provide high-level competition while creating opportunities for young athletes
to advance their basketball careers.
“The primary objective is to provide exposure for talented players, and we are also bringing basketball scouts and coaches from the United States to evaluate athletes, with the hope of creating pathways to college and professional basketball opportunities in the U.S. and Europe. We're building a complete basketball experience, from the competition, international participation to the entertainment and fan engagement. We have a great variety of teams and cultures coming together," summarized Buchanan.
Several registered teams have never competed in St. Maarten, adding a fresh and exciting dynamic to the upcoming event. Teams confirmed for the tournament include representatives from:
- Aruba
- Canada
- United States
- St. Kitts and Nevis (Achievers Elite)
- St. Eustatius
- St. Maarten
- British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda and Tortola)
- Haiti
- Dominica
(Moreover, an additional team from the U.S. Virgin Islands is also being considered)
ATTRACTIVE PRIZE PURSE:
One of the tournament’s biggest attractions is its substantial prize packages. These incentives add another level of excitement and competitiveness to the event. The champions will receive cash prizes of US$20,000, while the runner-up will earn US$5,000 and the third-place team will receive US$2,500.
Individual awards include:
- Tournament MVP – US$1,000
- Slam Dunk Champion – US$300
- Three-Point Shootout Champion – US$200
MORE THAN BASKETBALL:
In addition to the on-court action, the Reason for Hope foundation is also planning nightly entertainment, giveaways and social activities designed to enhance the overall fan experience.
BUILDING A REGIONAL SHOWCASE:
The tournament has the potential to become a flagship sporting event for St. Maarten, and the wider Caribbean with promises to becoming one of the premier basketball events in the region.
