The dynamic energy of Egypt’s youthful basketball talent was on full display at the recent International Basketball Week event held in August in Abu Dhabi, marking a transformative chapter in the country’s basketball journey. Despite losses in its two FIBA World Cup preparation games in Abu Dhabi against Mexico and Lebanon, the young Egyptian national basketball team not only showcased remarkable potential and unwavering resilience but also provided an enticing glimpse into the growing Egyptian basketball landscape.
The Pharaohs were placed in Group D for the World Cup, alongside basketball powerhouses Lithuania and Mexico, as well as Montenegro. The qualification of the Egyptian team was historic, marking Egypt’s second appearance in the FIBA World Cup in almost three decades, following their last participation in 2014.
Guiding this promising Egyptian squad is Coach Roy Rana, renowned for his role in nurturing Canada’s youth basketball program. Rana’s strategic commitment to developing young talent is evident from his previous accomplishments. He is a perfect fit for the young Egyptian Squad that holds a promising future in elevating Egypt’s reputation in the basketball world. With the team’s average age at 24.8 years, they are well-positioned to seize upcoming opportunities.
Egyptian star player for Al-Ahly club, Ihab Amin, achieved victory in the African Basketball League championship with his team just last May. Sharing his thoughts on Egypt’s ambitions for the World Cup, Amin stated, “The World Cup matches are challenging; however, we have strong confidence in advancing through the group stage. We also aim to secure our country’s qualification for the Paris Olympics through our World Cup performance.”
Anas Mahmoud, an exceptional leaper who participated in 10 of Egypt’s African Qualifiers, commented on the games in Abu Dhabi, saying, “Our experience in Abu Dhabi was truly invaluable. These games provided an exceptional opportunity for many players to gain exposure against strong national teams, given their youth, ahead of the World Cup.”
“Our match against Mexico was a closely contested battle throughout. Both teams exhibited restraint, revealing only a fraction of their potential. This is especially crucial since we will face each other in the World Cup group stages. We gained insights into the Mexico team beyond statistics, understanding their players’ strengths and their playing style,” added Mahmoud.
Reflecting on the growth of basketball in Egypt, Mahmoud emphasized, “When you wear the Egyptian jersey, you play not only for yourself but for your nation. We are dedicated to further popularizing basketball in Egypt, and our efforts have yielded positive results so far, which we aim to sustain.”
Regarding the Egypt-Lebanon game in Abu Dhabi, Egyptian superstar Adam Moussa mentioned, “Our matches in Abu Dhabi exposed us to strong teams, including Lebanon, which applied substantial ball pressure, similar to what we expect from Lithuania, our first opponent in the World Cup. This experience served as excellent preparation.”
“Our primary goal for the world tournament is to secure Olympic qualification. Historically, our World Cup records are less than ideal, and we are determined to rewrite that narrative,” added Moussa.
Even the legendary USA National Basketball team coach Steve Kerr, renowned for his association with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and his time studying in Egypt and playing basketball there, shared his thoughts on Egypt’s progress, “Observing the advancement of basketball in the Middle East is truly exhilarating. During my college years, I engaged in basketball matches among various colleges in Cairo. I represented Cairo American College and played against Ahli and Zamalek. Today, witnessing the improvement of basketball in Egypt is truly remarkable. For instance, Zamalek’s recent victory in the African cup, among other achievements, illustrates their remarkable progress. This is genuinely exciting.”
Egypt has also named Patrick Gardner to the preliminary squad. Although originally from New York, Gardner has Egyptian roots. He recently completed a remarkable season in American college basketball, where he stood out with impressive stats. Garnering an average of 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, he topped both categories while playing for Marist College.
Despite his youth at 24 years old, Gardner brings significant experience to the team. Just earlier this month, he even participated in NBA action with the Miami Heat’s Summer League team, featuring in four games. Adding to his accomplishments, Gardner is set to join The Brooklyn Nets in their summer league camp, having signed an Exhibit 10 contract with them.
As the Pharaohs prepare for their first World Cup match against Lithuania, the team is eager to make history in their seventh appearance. Qualifying for the World Cup is just the beginning for the Egyptian basketball team as the sport continues to thrive and expand within Egypt.
Mohammad Akkawi is a sports analyst and founder of Sport Scoop