RIYADH (Saudi Arabia) – The last time that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were in the FIBA Asia Cup was back in 2013 when Mohammed Al Suwailem was only 15-years-old. 6 years later, Al Suwailem has become one of the best players on the national team, primed to get Saudi Arabia back to the biggest stage in Asia. After the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers Draw, he and Saudi Arabia now know who they will have to go through to complete the comeback.

“We have been placed in a very tough group, but I’m sure we can do something,” said the promising big man. Saudi Arabia were drawn into Group E which also features Syria, Qatar, and Iran.

It’s definitely not an easy task for Saudi Arabia to finish at the Top 2 to qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 outright. Even qualifying at 3^rd place in the group for a chance at the qualifying tournament in February 2021 will require a large amount of effort. Nonetheless, Al Suwailem believes his team has what it takes.

“Our team is a mixture between experienced and young players, but I have a lot of confidence in my teammates,” says the team’s star throughout the first two Pre-Qualifying rounds.

Al Suwailem was a force during the GBA Pre-Qualifiers with averages of 16.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. However, Saudi Arabia was unable to beat Bahrain at this stage of the tournament even though both eventually advanced to the West Region Pre-Qualifiers.

It was at the West Pre-Qualifiers in Manama, Bahrain where Saudi Arabia would get their revenge with Al Suwailem steamrolling for 11.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest. In a crucial game against Palestine, he even stepped up for a double-double going up against one of best players in Asia, Sani Sakakini. Saudi Arabia ended up going undefeated at the Western Region Pre-Qualifiers.

It was a good sign for the team heading into the future with a FIBA Asia Cup berth on their minds.

“We proved in Bahrain that our team holds a [positive] future but we have to keep working hard on a daily basis,” Al Suwailem adds.

Saudi Arabia is gradually inched towards returning to be one of the best teams in Asia, as they were when they won 3^rd place at the 1999 FIBA Asia Cup.It’s a process that will take some time to see through, but Al Suwailem believes that they are on the right path.

“Our federation is trying to improve our local league and that will reflect positively on the national team in the next few years.”

FIBA