AMMAN (Jordan) - Ahmad Al Hamarsheh has been a solid veteran over the years for the Jordan national team. The 33-year-old forward has been a key contributor through three Asia Cups and Jordan’s recent appearance at the World Cup.

Now he’s looking forward to helping the team get through and qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021.

(Ahmad Al Hamarsheh, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019)

“I was very proud and excited of what we have accomplished throughout the [Asian Qualifiers] and the World Cup,” said Al Hamarsheh. “Our level significantly improved and we are very excited to perform in the [Asia Cup Qualifiers]. We are ever more excited to take this level and compare it to where we are against the other Asian teams.”

“It was a great experience, especially the fact that we were playing against NBA players whom we watch every day on TV,” said Hamarsheh of his World Cup campaign. “But as I said before we want to bring this experience here to the Asia Cup Qualifiers”

The opening two games in the first window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers will pit Jordan up against Sri Lanka on 21 February in Amman before a trip to Astana to face Kazakhstan on 24 February.

“This is the first time we will play against Sri Lanka, so we are excited for this match,” Al Hamarsheh said. “As for Kazakhstan, their point guard [Anthony Clemmons] is one of the best players in the world. Also, their team maintains a high level of teamwork on the court.”

Jordan has its eyes set on making it to Asia Cup 2021. Hamarsheh has been there and he knows - just like any Asian basketball player - how much it means to play at the biggest stage in Asia. Although he’s already been there three times in his career, he wants to be back for a fourth consecutive time.

(Ahmad Al Hamarsheh, FIBA Asia Cup 2015)

“Each year [at the Asia Cup] was a different experience,” said Hamarsheh, who has averages of 5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest in 24 Asia Cup games. “2013 was my first experience with the national team so the pressure was not significant. In 2017, I was one of the five starters on the team and the pressure was ten times more. My responsibility was huge since I was leading the national team.”

(Ahmad Al Hamarsheh, FIBA Asia Cup 2017)

“I truly enjoyed playing against Lebanon, the Philippines, and China where the fan experience and cheering at the stadiums were exceptional,” he added. “Fadi El Khatib was one of the players I enjoyed playing against.”

The Asia Cup Qualifiers will also be an opportunity for up-and-coming talents to showcase their skills from all over Asia. As someone who has been on the international stage consistently for nearly a decade now, Hamarsheh knows how big of a chance these Qualifier games will be for those bright young prospects.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity, especially since this is the most celebrated basketball event in Asia,” he said. “It will provide the players with an opportunity to be scouted by coaches all over the world. There will be a lot of international eyes on us.”

As a seasoned vet, Hamarsheh is also hoping that some of his younger countrymen will seize this chance to shine. He has been able to play with some bright young talents throughout his years with the national. For this campaign, he has some names in particular that Asian basketball fans should focus on.

“We have significant number of [good] young players on the team but I believe the most talented ones are Freddy [Ibrahim] and Amin [Abu Hawwas] since they are both very skilled and hard workers,” praised Hamarsheh of the 23-year-old and 25-year-old, respectively.

The journey to Asia Cup 2021 is about to start and Ahmad Al Hamarsheh is ready to take his vast experience especially from the recent World Cup with him to get Jordan through for another successful run. He won’t be alone with rising stars along his side.

Other teams will try to stop Jordan from getting there, but it won’t be easy.

FIBA