TUNIS (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - In the space of just four years, Omar Abada has gone from being a promising star to becoming a integral member of Tunisia's men national team.

After being cut from Tunisia's final roster for FIBA AfroBasket 2013, the 23-year-old point guard continues to remind everyone why tenacity and hard work often pays off.

"The [Tunisian Basketball] Federation, our coaching staff and us - players - we’ll be playing to win the tournament [FIBA AfroBasket 2017] because we believe that we have the means to do it."AbadaAbada

In the game against Morocco, which saw the Tunisians qualify for this summer's FIBA AfroBasket in the Republic of Congo, the 1.89m guard made three of his four three-pointer attempts to finish with a game-high 15 points. As Tunisia last month battled against Algeria and Morocco to secure one of the two tickets on offer for FIBA Africa Zone 2 teams for the FIBA AfroBasket 2017, the Etoile Sportive de Rades guard made his presence felt in style.

How he managed to become such a factor for Tunisia, it's down to a learn process, he explained to FIBA.com.

"I have learned many things from the FIBA AfroBasket 2015 experience," he said referring to his debut with the Tunisia's men team two years ago.

Although Tunisia finished a disappointing third-place on home soil, Abada insists "that tournament made me a better player. It gave me confidence and experience to continue playing at high level."

Now that Tunisia will be featuring at FIBA Africa's flagship tournament for the 10th straight time, Abada - who was an 18-year-old polishing his game in the youth ranks when Tunisia won their only Africa title in 2011 - feels he too hopes to contribute his share. 

"Every tournament we participate we always aim to play good basketball as a team and defend the flag of our country," he said.

"The [Tunisian Basketball] Federation, our coaching staff and us - players - we’ll be playing to win the tournament [FIBA AfroBasket 2017] because we believe that we have the means to do it."

Asked to elaborate how his game evolved in recent years, Abada attributed his rise to stardom to hard work. 

"[Tunisia's] coach Mario Palma gave me confidence and motivation," he replied. 

"He always asks me to control the tempo of the game. For him, the point guard is the coach on the court so I have to take the right decision at the right moment. I have to be able to read the game quickly."

Before Tunisia head to Congo-Brazzaville in August, they will be doing the homework playing high-level opponents during the preparations, Abada said.

"The Federation and our coaching staff are making a big effort to put the team in a good condition to improve some aspects of our game. So we have to be focused throughout the preparation and try to do what the coaching team asks us to. And, obviously, we have to use our lessons from previous international tournaments."

The FIBA AfroBasket 2017 will run from August 19-30 in Brazzaville.

FIBA