Stergios Koufos wants rebuilding Al Rayyan to remain grounded, locked in

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Al Rayyan head coach Stergios Koufos was glad to see his wards open their FIBA WASL campaign on the right foot following a big road win over Al-Ahli Jeddah, Tuesday night.

But the veteran mentor would like it more for each and everyone of them to never lose sight of their goal, one they have set way before becoming involved in the pan-regional competition.

"We need everybody to understand that now, we are in a rebuilding phase," he said through a translator during the postgame presser of their 98-88 win at the Green Basketball Court.

"And even though we started with a very big win, it's very important for us, for everybody, to stay focused so we can continue playing hard and win as many games as possible," he furthered, "and, still be as solid and concentrated in this rebuild mode that we started last year."

Koufos sure knows a thing or two about building Al Rayyan to a championship team. He was the architect of the squad that won the Qatari Basketball League in 2016, whose leaders included the legendary Yasseen Musa, who's now the ball club's general manager.

After six years of being away, the Greek bench tactician returned to the team in 2022. The reunion immediately led to success as they regained the Qatari league crown together, in the process booking themselves a spot in Season 2 of the FIBA WASL-Gulf League.

Despite that, the rebuild is far from over, with Koufos keen on developing a team that's filled with so much youth. Currently, the team has 15-year-old Abdullah Yassen; an 18-year-old forward in Abdullah Rashid; and a couple of players that are under age 25.

The growing pains were actually evident against Al-Ahli. Al Rayyan led by as much as 15 early in the second quarter, but the home team managed to tie the game up at 58-all during the third.

"You have to understand that key players of the team like Abdullah Yaseen are 15 years old. The rest of the guys like Meho [Haracic], like Bobo [Magassa], Abdulla Rashid, they are all under 25. Two of our imports (Mustapha Heron, Shamorie Ponds) are also 25 years old," said Koufus.

Fortunately for them, Mouhammad Faye provided the stabilizing presence they badly needed. The 38-year-old finished with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block but his role is way beyond providing numbers for a team as young as what it is right now.

"The only reason we chose Mo is because of his mentality," Koufus said of the former Senegal national team stalwart. "He's the best guy to help the young kids improve their game, teaches them through practice, during games, how to become better and how to become professionals."

No doubt that it was still a good way for the crew to start their FIBA WASL run but then again, aside from victories, the priority really is to hone the young team the best they can.

"For us, the priority right now is by the end of the year, everyone of these guys understand and get the mentality of what it means to play for a team that competes for championships, titles, and what it means to be professional basketball players at a high level," said Koufos.

"It is really good that we play and win games. For sure we will have some ups and downs, but for us the priority for us is for the young guys, by the end of the year, will be able to step up their game and be ready to be called serious, professional basketball players," he closed.

FIBA