Youssef Elhalawany following in the footsteps of elder brother, 2021 MVP
While the older Adam has graduated to the U19 team for Egypt, Youssef is looking to follow him every step of the way and he is making no pretences about it.
MONASTIR (Tunisia) - Egypt in 2021 improved their trophy cabinet with a fourth FIBA U16 African Championship title and are in Monastir to seek yet another shot at the top prize.
Adam Elhalawany, who sank two of his three-point attempts en route to eight points in the title game, was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The then 16-year-old was joined in the All-Tournament team alongside Khodja Zakarya (Algeria), Seifeldin Hendawy (Egypt) Diallo Malick of Mali and Mahamat Tahir (Chad).
Fast forward to 2023 and Adam's younger brother Youssef Hosny Elhalawany is on the Egypt U16 team following in Adam's footsteps.
While the older Adam has graduated to the U19 team for Egypt, Youssef is looking to follow him every step of the way and he is making no pretences about it.
At the Salle Mohamed Mzali Arena, Monastir, Youssef revealed to FIBA.basketball his intention to keep the tradition in the family by helping his country retain the title.
Taking the title with him back is top on his priority list for the moment.
All the attachments of Adam at the end of the 2021 edition of the championship is not a worry to Youssef at this stage as he wants to contribute to the team reaching its set objective.
On why he chose the same jersey number #30 like his elder brother Adam; Youssef explained that his brother inspires him a great deal hence his choice of the same number in the national team.
"Adam inspires me a lot. Ever since he played for Egypt, it has been my dream to also do same and bring honor to my country. In this championship, my only goal is to win and nothing more."
On his basketball idols, Youssef aside saying some Egyptian greats rank among those that he had looks up to, he shifts his gaze the way of the NBA players like Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry as players that he wants to emulate in his basketball career.
The 1.83m (6ft) shooting guard stated that Egypt has invested so much to retain the title again. "We began preparation for this championship about four months ago, we've had closed camps too and are on diet, practicing as hard as we could. We want this championship really badly," he pointed out to FIBA.basketball.
Youssef stressed that going to the World Cup is as important as winning the championship because he has a dream that he would help Egypt return to the U19 and getting to the top 8 to change the perception of many that the Pharaohs can't get to the top.
On rating the teams competing for honors with Egypt, Youssef says it’s too early in the completion to say anything pointing out that all the teams are Monastir to win. He however admits that it has always been Egypt against Mali.
"Egypt is leaving nothing to chance. Every team is a threat and we're ready for them especially Mali when the match up comes,"he said.
FIBA