JAKARTA (Indonesia) - FIBA Asia Cup 2022 will be the 30th edition of the premier competition of Asia & Oceania. There’s a lot to look forward to, especially the Asia Cup stars who are returning for more.

Some are only returning for their second Asia Cup, while some of these seasoned veterans have been around forever. Check out who some of the familiar faces will be at the Asia Cup!

Mohammed Almarwani and Co. (KSA)
2nd appearance

Saudi Arabia have not played in the Asia Cup since 2013. Even then, the majority of the roster playing here in Jakarta are coming in with Asia Cup experience. Eight players that have been rostered to play here in Asia Cup 2022 played in Asia Cup 2013; Ayman Almuwallad, Mohammed Almarwani, Marzouq Almuwallad, Mathna Almarwani, Mohammed Alsager, Hahad Belal, Ayoub Alhawsawi, and Nassir Abo Jalas.

Tohi Smith-Milner, Sam Timmins (NZL)
2nd appearance

Two players are returning from the Asia Cup 2017 squad, Smith-Milner and Sam Timmins. Both averaged at least 20.0 minutes per game in their Semi-Finals run in 2017 and will be aiming to do so once again - or maybe even go further - with this young squad.

Mitch McCarron (AUS)
2nd appearance

The defending champion! The Boomers have listed Mitch McCarron to return for another Asia Cup run after winning it all with the team in Lebanon 5 years ago. McCarron averaged 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2017 and the 30-year-old will be providing veteran leadership for the team here in Jakarta.

Yuta Watanabe, Yuki Togashi (JPN)
2nd appearance

Japan are parading a relatively young squad, so there’s not a lot of Asia Cup experience to go around. It will be their two top players that are coming into this tournament having played in one Asia Cup already in Yuki Togashi and Yuta Watanabe. While Togashi will be making a second straight appearance after playing in 2017, Watanabe will be returning after last playing nearly 10 years ago in 2013.

Husain Altawash (BRN)
3rd appearance

Bahrain are another team that have been absent from the Asia Cup for a while as their last appearance was in 2013. Husain Altawash was one of the key players from that squad as well as the Asia Cup 2011 and is lined up to make a third Asia Cup appearance.

Wang Zhelin (CHN)
3rd appearance

Not only is Wang one of the returning Asia Cup stars, he’s also a former Asia Cup champion as part of China’s Asia Cup 2015 squad. However, it was in Asia Cup 2013 when Wang made his debut and averaged 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Liu Cheng (TPE)
3rd appearance

There are a lot of fresh faces in Chinese Taipei’s roster, but a familiar face for Asia Cup fans is Liu Cheng who is set to play in his third Asia Cup. Liu has been consistent, averaging over 10 points per game in each Asia Cup he’s been in.

Wael Arakji (LBN)
3rd appearance

It will be the third straight Asia Cup appearance for Lebanon’s star guard, Wael Arakji. At 27-years-old, Arakji might not be the most senior player in this Asia Cup, but he’s certainly coming in with plenty of experience in the competition. After averaging 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, there are high expectations for him to take another step forward towards superstardom.

Rustam Murzagaliyev (KAZ)
4th appearance

Another relatively young veteran is 30-year-old Rustam Murzagaliyev who will be making his 4^th appearance in the Asia Cup. Murzagaliyev has been solid so far in the competition, especially in Asia Cup 2017 where he averaged 7.1 points and 4.2 assists per game. The 1.92M (6’4”) guard is coming fresh off solid performances in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers where he’s currently averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 assists per game.

Amritpal Singh (IND)
5th appearance

There are few players who have as much experience playing in the Asia Cup as Amritpal Singh (and you’ll read more about them in a bit!). Amritpal has played in all four Asia Cups prior to this one and has been a solid presence in the paint. With averages of 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game through the Asia Cup 2022 Qualifiers, he’s a big reason why India have made it back to this stage.

Kim JongKyu (KOR)
5th appearance

It’s not an Asia Cup without Korea as the national team have never missed playing in the competition and, for more than a decade, it’s not an Asia Cup without Kim JongKyu.

Korea’s main big man has been patrolling the paint ever since Asia Cup 2011 and he’s back for another run. Kim only recently turned 31 this month, so it’s highly likely that this won’t be his last Asia Cup either.

Zaid Abbas (JOR)
6th appearance

Zaid Abbas’ return to the national team lineup for the recent windows of the World Cup Qualifiers was a nice surprise. Now he’s also returning for another run through the Asia Cup which will be his sixth appearance in the competition. The 38-year-old has been all the way through to an Asia Cup Final and should be targeting to help guide a very talented Jordan squad deep into the tournament as well.

Hamed Haddadi (IRI)
8th appearance

There is not much more one can say about Haddadi’s legacy in the Asia Cup. Three Asia Cup titles. Four Asia Cup MVPs. Now he’s set to make an incredible eight appearance in the competition.

Hamed Haddadi, Asia Cup legend.

FIBA