RAMALLAH - Sani Sakakini stole many of the headlines a couple of years ago with Palestine when the country played at the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in China.

The big man poured in plenty of points, grabbed a lot of rebounds and helped his country jump into the international basketball spotlight.

Club commitments with Chinese club Tianjin prevented Sakakini from helping Palestine at the recent WABA Championship that was staged in Jordan and the national team came up short of qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 in Beirut.

Sakakini, who has just penned a deal to play in Venezuela for Trotamundos de Carabobo and leaves for South America on Friday, has spoken to FIBA.com.

You had some big games at the last FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, China, including that clash with India when you scored 23 points and hauled in 12 rebounds. But Palestine didn't make it to the tournament this year. Is the competition at the qualifying event, the WABA Championship, tougher than it used to be?
The competition is the same, or to be honest the past years had better competition. Some of the well known names did not participate with their countries so Palestine had a great chance to qualify but the preparations were weak.

Would Palestine have made it if you had been able to play?
If I had been there, things would have been different.

On the bright side for you, a new adventure is about to unfold. You're going to play professionally in Venezuela. How did that come about?
I discovered that I had the opportunity to play in Venezuela a few weeks ago. I had a few offers waiting on the table but I chose Venezuela because it's a new country for me to play in and I was looking forward to that.

What do you know about the league there and how it compares to China, where you been playing recently?
I actually don't know a lot about the league there, but I've asked a few friends that play there to give me a heads-up. I believe it will be different from China, but will know more once I get there.

Are you the first person from your country to play there and does it bring any additional pressure?
Yes, I am the first Palestinian player to ever play there. It's always a pleasure to represent my country, Palestine, in the best way.

FIBA