MIES (Switzerland) - Egypt have been to a global event just once over the last 28 years, but with a solid core of players in their 20s and a coach who made a name for himself developing young players, this is a new beginning for the Pharaohs. They are looking to make their qualifications to major events a habit now.

The Roster

There's a bit of everything when it comes to this team. Assem Marei is the big name in the middle, with his elite footwork that got him the Turkish League MVP award back in 2019, and he's got a high flying partner under the rims in Anas Mahmoud.

Assem Marei

Ehab Amin is a scorer who led Al Ahly to the 2023 Basketball Africa League title, and keep an eye on Karim Elgizawy, the U19 prospect joining the big guys.

The Question

Is it about getting here, staying here or challenging already in 2023? Egypt played the World Cup back in 2014, and that was their only global appearance since 1994, which bears the question of complacency - they can just shrug their shoulders and say the goal was achieved by reaching the summit.

Karim Elgizawy

The bar isn't that high, though. Egypt have gone 2-33 over their last 35 World Cup games, and finished 0-5 in Spain in 2014. If they get one or two wins in 2023, they could be among the top 16.

The Hope

If you want to build something for the future, the goal is to have a head coach who specializes in such cases. Roy Rana fits the profile, the man who built Canada's youth program and brought them their first ever U19 World Cup gold - in Egypt, his current home - and now he gets a chance to do something long term with the Pharaohs.

He has got senior team experience, too, from his days as an assistant to Henrik Rodl in Germany, winning the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Split, Croatia and reaching the Quarter-Finals of the Olympics, both in 2021.

The Fear

The draw isn't looking all that promising for Egypt. Because they are up against three physical teams in Lithuania, Montenegro and Mexico, and if they make the Second Round, they would have to deal with two of USA, Greece, Jordan and New Zealand.

But you know what they say, to be the best, you have to beat the best. Egypt will do their best to best the best, the fear is they could fail the test.

IN THE LAST 10 FIBA EVENTS

The Poll

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For a deeper look on Egypt's journey to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, click here.

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