CANBERRA (Australia) - In basketball, passion, leadership, and family support are often at the heart of every success story. The athletes of Guam, despite being from a small island, have been making waves in the international sports community. We turn the spotlight on three remarkable figures — Lana Quinata, Jia Peters, and Coach Willie Stinnett — who are playing pivotal roles in shaping the future of women’s basketball in Guam. Lana Quinata: A Rising Star and Team Leader Quinata, a rising star in Guam’s basketball community, has seen her journey come full circle. She first represented her island at just 12 years old during the U15 competition in 2022, and now, just a few years later, she is the captain of Guam’s U15 Women’s team. Reflecting on her evolution, Lana shares the challenges and rewards of stepping into a leadership role. “It’s a big difference,” she explains. “The responsibilities have shifted. As a player, I used to focus only on my own game. Now, as a captain, I have to make sure the team is in sync. It’s about connecting with my teammates, motivating them, and making sure we all work together.
For Lana, basketball has always been a family affair. She recalls how she first fell in love with the sport at the age of six, watching her brothers play and joining in on their games. “It was my family that got me into it. My brothers would play outside, and I just jumped in,” she says with a smile. "We all love the game, and my family has always supported me.” Quinata had the honor of representing Guam in the Senior National Team during the 2023 Micronesian Games, where the team took home the Gold Medal. “It was such an amazing experience,” shared the 15-year-old, Quinata. “Playing alongside the best players in the country boosted my confidence. Winning that medal was a huge milestone for me, and I hope we can build on that success and continue to develop the women’s basketball program in Guam.”
Jia Peters: Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Others Peters, a fellow player from Guam, shares a similar passion for basketball and a deep sense of pride in representing her island. Jia became the first ever woman to be invited to the prestigious NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp held in Australia earlier this year. “It’s exhilarating to be invited and showcase my talents on an international stage,” she says. “It gives me a sense of pride and responsibility to represent my island and bring honor to it.” Jia’s journey to success, much like Lana’s, has been shaped by the unwavering support of her family. She recalls the moment she learned she’d been selected for the international camp: “At first, I was in shock,” she says. “But when I told my dad, he was so excited. He said, ‘You better start practicing!’”
Jia’s journey is driven by her desire to grow, learn, and bring that knowledge back to her community on Guam. “I plan to bring back everything I’ve learned and share it with the basketball community in Guam. I hope it will inspire others and help raise the level of competition.” Coach Willie Stinnett: Nurturing the Next Generation Stinnett, a key figure in Guam’s basketball scene shared how organizations like Guam Basketball Club (GBC) and other local leagues are working to provide opportunities for players of all ages. “After COVID, the momentum slowed down, but now we have several organizations focused on women’s basketball and youth development,” Coach Stinnet explains. “We’ve been running more tournaments, especially for middle school and high school girls, and the response has been great.” As a coach and mentor, Coach Stinnett is deeply invested in the future of the sport in Guam. “We have girls like Jia Peters, who was the first woman from Guam to attend a Basketball Without Borders Asia camp. That’s huge. Then there’s Lana, who’s leading her team at the U15 level. It’s inspiring to see these girls develop,” he says proudly. Stinnett emphasizes the importance of supporting athletes like Gia, Lana, and others who are showing leadership on and off the court. “Watching their journey and development is rewarding for me as a coach. It’s not just about the games, but the impact they have on others, inspiring future generations to play and to dream big.” The stories of Lana, Jia, and Coach Stinnett remind us that success in sports, and life, is about much more than individual achievement. It’s about community, leadership, and creating opportunities for the next generation. FIBA