CAIRO (Egypt) - This year's Egypt U16 team parades two players with Eldiasty as their surnames.

It turns out that Ahmed Eldiasty and Alieeldeen Eldiasty are cousins and have shared the basketball courts from their childhood. Both players have continued so, now representing their nation Egypt.

In separate interviews with FIBA.basketball, they stated that this would not be the last time they would be on the same team as they hope to progress from the U16 to U17 through to the U18, U19 to the senior national team someday.

This is how Alieeldeen reacted to our questions: "It is hilarious we have been playing basketball with each other since being kids. This is the first time we are representing the Egyptian national team together.  It feels totally different, the hype is different, the circumstances are different and everything is really special.

"ULTIMATELY, WE HOPE TO MAKE IT TO THE SENIOR TEAM SOMEDAY TO REPRESENT EGYPT."

"We have learned a lot of experiences throughout our journey. We started playing basketball at age 4 in Ittihad team as our fathers used to. Our dream of playing for Egypt is to make it in a totally different way such as increasing Egypt's rankings in the world or gaining more trophies and championships.

"And according to our dreams individually, we hope we can play in big leagues even in high school (America) or decide on one college league (for now) as I hope we can complete this journey together also."

On Egypt's chances in the championship, Alieeldeen had this to say. "I think our chances are getting bigger day by day since we took important three wins as it gives us a push day by day through the championship wishing we can make the Egyptian crowd happy and proud. Yes, we worked really hard for it and still working hard as we hope we can win."

Ahmed on his part says it has been an amazing experience playing for the same club and the national team together. "I started playing basketball at the age of 4 just like my cousin. Our dream of playing for Egypt is to qualify for Spain next year for the World Cup and also to win this championship. 

"Ultimately, we hope to make it to the senior team someday to represent Egypt."

Alieeldeen is in Quds-American School and his cousin Ahmed is in Victoria-American School.

FIBA