National team pride keeping Egypt's Anas Mahmoud motivated for China 2019 Qualifiers

LUANDA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - The upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers in Luanda is keeping Egypt's Anas Osama Mahmoud highly motivated for a number of understandable reasons. 

Back in 2012, he made his first major international appearance at FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Lithuania, where he had the opportunity of facing some future international basketball stars including USA's Jabari Parker and Australia's Ben Simmons.

"IT WILL BE MY HONOUR TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY AGAIN, AND IT DEFINITELY IS MY GOAL TO REPEAT WHAT WE DID BACK IN 2013 AND QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW."- Mahmoud

A year later, he helped his country claim a second-place at FIBA AfroBasket in Cote d'Ivoire, a success that ensured the Pharaohs a spot at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 in Spain.

However, Mahmoud skipped the Spain showdown for a USA College basketball career, where he developed his game to a higher level, finishing his career with the third-most blocks at Louisville University.

Against the odds, Egypt stunned highly-favoured Senegal in the Semi-Finals at FIBA AfroBasket 2013

Over the past few years, the 23-year-old lived with a sense of unfinished business, but all he hopes for now, is a chance of facing some of the world biggest talents in China next year.

Now that the Egyptians are three games away from qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China, the seven-footer revealed to FIBA.basketball that he is prepared to do everything in his power to help Egypt overcome Tunisia, Cameroon and Chad.

Egypt will play those three countries from Friday, November 30 to Sunday, December 2 in an attempt to claim one of the five spots on offer for African countries for the reformulated 32-nation World Cup.

Mahmoud v Simmons

"It will be my honour to represent my country again, and it definitely is my goal to repeat what we did back in 2013 and qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row," Mahmoud insisted. 

And his presence in a team that already includes the influential seven-footer Omar Oraby is what Egypt coach Amr Aboul Kheir describes as crucial to help the team protect the painted area and increase their chances of qualifying for the China 2019 showpiece.

And things seem to be working for Egypt, who defeated Angola 60-58 in a warm-up game on Tuesday in Luanda. 

"He'll give us more physicality in the paint," Aboul Kheir said of Mahmoud. 

Mahmoud added: "I have been dreaming of going back to the World Cup since I couldn't join the team in 2014. And I believe that we could join Tunisia and Nigeria as long as we focus on the goal and work hard towards it."

And his World Cup dream has never disappeared, he recalled: "Playing in the U17 World Cup was an accomplishment back then, and the more you grow up the more greedy you get. Now I’m looking forward to playing in China and represent my country at the senior level as well."

If Egypt qualify for China 2019, Mahmoud might join his Louisville University teammate Jordan Nwora, who had a huge success with the Nigerian national team.

"Jordan is a very talented player, he can do it all offensively. He was a great boost for the Nigerian team and I’m looking forward to playing against him one day," Mahmoud admitted.

Before he featured for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2018 Summer League, Mahmoud averaged 6.8 points, five rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as a senior at Louisville University.  

"The draft process was one of the hardest steps I had to go through to get to where I am today, but it was by far the most fun. Getting to work out and be in the presence of all those great players and coaches was definitely worth all the hard work that goes into it. The summer league is really tough, you got all the talent in the world trying to compete and show off their skills. I have learned to bring my A game every single day, there is nothing worth having that will be handed to you, you gotta work for everything."

Now that he signed for Egyptian side Zamalek, he recalls that "Basketball has always been my passion since the first day I got my hands on the ball. My goal is to use the game to travel around the world, help those in need, and of course have fun."

Egypt will resume their Group E campaign against Chad, on Friday, November 30.

FIBA