St. Eustatius – The Statia Roots Festival Foundation and the St. Eustatius Basketball Federation proudly co-hosted The Alliance – Hoops & Heritage FIBA 3×3 Lite Quest 2026 on June 13–14, 2026, in St. Eustatius.
Held as part of Statia Roots Festival 2026, under the theme “The Story Must Be Told,” the event successfully brought together sport, culture, heritage, and regional unity in a truly memorable Caribbean experience. Teams from across the Caribbean traveled to St. Eustatius to compete in the official FIBA 3×3 Lite Quest, with participating teams representing:
Aruba – Anguilla – Saba – St. Kitts & Nevis – St. Maarten – Suriname St. Eustatius
Over two exciting days of competition, athletes showcased exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship both on and off the court. The tournament embodied the spirit of Caribbean unity and friendship, strengthening bonds between islands through sport.
Following two exciting days of competition, St. Kitts & Nevis emerged as tournament champions, earning qualification to the FIBA 3×3 Birmingham Challenger in Alabama, USA. The Challenger is part of the official FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit, where top city-based teams from around the world compete for international ranking points and a prize pool of USD 60,000.
Suriname secured an impressive second-place finish, while all participating teams demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship, talent, and Caribbean camaraderie throughout the tournament. Beyond basketball, Hoops & Heritage celebrated the rich history and cultural identity of St. Eustatius. By combining sport with heritage, the event created a unique platform for cultural exchange and community engagement while contributing to the island’s growing sports tourism sector.
Residents and visitors alike enjoyed a festive atmosphere throughout the weekend, with exciting games, music, local hospitality, and cultural activities taking place as part of the wider Statia Roots Festival program. The organizers extend heartfelt gratitude to all athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, sponsors, partners, and community members whose support made the event possible.
Special thanks go to our partners and supporters, including Basketball Nederland (NBB), the Public Entity St. Eustatius, SSFF, Statia Way Foundation, Talk of the Town Inn & Suites, Whale Tails, PEAK Sports, HCS, and all others who contributed to the success of this regional event. Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025, the 2026 edition further reinforces St. Eustatius’ growing reputation as a destination for sports tourism, cultural exchange, and regional sporting events.
Taro Merkman, President of both the St. Eustatius Basketball Federation and the Statia Roots Festival Foundation, reflected on the weekend:
“This weekend showed what is possible when sport, culture, and community come together. We are proud of every team that participated and grateful to everyone who helped make history in Statia. Hoops & Heritage continues to grow as a platform that unites the Caribbean through basketball while celebrating our shared heritage and identity.”
As the festival theme reminds us: “The Story Must Be Told.”
