BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Yasseen Ismail has nearly seen, played in, and won it all in Asian basketball. He’s a two-time FIBA Asia Champions Cup winner, two-time FIBA Asia Cup bronze medalist, and five-time GBA Champions Cup winner among many other accomplishments.

I expect West Asia Super League to be a prestigious competition not just in the region, but also in Asia - Yasseen Ismail

 Ismail is truly a legend in Asia and that’s why it speaks volume about how excited he is for WASL.

"I really wish I had this competition during my time," said Ismail at the inaugural WASL Sub-Zone leagues draw.

"WASL is a great project. Honestly the new generation will have the opportunity to play in such as a competition, and that’s something we didn’t have during my playing days," he added after the draw.

Ismail played in many FIBA Asia Champions Cups and made it to the Final many times, but noted that he had only played in Qatar once for these games in 2010.

"For the new generation, they have the opportunity to have three home games. I wish all the best for those clubs."

The opportunity to play home and away aims to draw out the competitive spirit from the teams, players, and fans which is a healthy factor to further improving the level of basketball that is being played. This is why there’s a lot of potential for the WASL in the future.

"I expect West Asia Super League to be a prestigious competition not just in the region, but also in Asia."

"The players and the clubs in the region will definitely benefit from West Asia Super League because It provides competitive and regular games played at home in front of the home fans."

The WASL Sub-Zones leagues are the first steps in the path that will sharpen the skills of the players and teams in the subzones to be ready for the battles ahead of which they can qualify. Whether it’s the WASL Final 8, FIBA Asia Champions Cup, all the way to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, this is where the journey starts for all the teams and that one of the things a legend like Ismail is excited to see.

"The road to FIBA Asia Champions Cup for clubs in the region is now interesting. They will now have to play 96 games across 6 months to reach the continental club championship," said the former Asia Champions Cup champion with Al Rayyan.

FIBA