ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) – Winning the 2022 FIBA Africa U18 Championship in Madagascar last year meant that Egypt would return to FIBA’s flagship event for youth basketball at the 2023 U19 Men’s Basketball World Cup, in Debrecen, Hungary (June 24-July 2). This coming after missing out on the 2019 and 2021 editions.

Shooting guard Mohamed Hendy believes his time to shine has come. 

But he knows there are hurdles to clear to reach any set goal.

"We’ll be out battling against the best basketball players of the world," he says, speaking to FIBA.basketball about his team’s chances of making it.

Drawn in Group C, Egypt will be rubbing shoulders with European giants Serbia, fourth in Latvia two years ago and a regular to U19 World Cup podiums, Japan, who finished 16th in 2021, and returning Brazil, a regular Top 10 finisher at the U19 Men’s World Cup.

"It just shows how dense the group is, and how each game will be important to us."

Though he didn’t know what opponents Egypt would face at the time of qualifying, he kept training with the first team of Sporting Alexandria, where he plies his trade, and worked on his skills to be ready for D-Day.

Mohamed Hendy averaged 11 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in Madagascar

"Joining the first team of Sporting Alexandria has helped me a lot. You see, the guys are much more experienced and I feel this is going to help me when I get to the World Cup," he says.

Experience and skills are exactly what he will be needing when he steps on the floor in Debrecen. With the ticket having Egypt’s name written on it, comes a mission: helping the country achieve a first-ever Top 8 finish. And Hendy is adamant that they can make it.

"We’ve got the skills, we’ve got the players, we’ve got everything to reach that goal. We’ve got overseas players, and we have a squad that has been preparing for this event."

The context, however, is different from what he experienced at the FIBA U18 African Championship in Madagascar, one year ago. In Hungary, Egypt will be facing taller players.

"So, we’ll have to work out a way for scoring, like three-pointers and mid-range shots."

With an African crown to show on the world stage, Egypt come with an aura. Hendy knows they will have a tough time defending that aura, but "we'll go out there and fight for every ball and every point," he says.

He further adds: "We’re going to the World Cup aiming at a Top 8 finish. We’re ready to go out there and make a statement to the world."

A Top 8 finish - or reaching the Quarter-Finals - also means making the most of each game during the Group Phase.

"We will be in a must-win situation in every game. From my personal view, Serbia is going to be a very good team. But looking at our games against Japan and Brazil, if we can beat them, we could grab the second place of the Group."

Along with the team’s objectives, he also expressed the wish to grab an individual distinction. The 1.89m (6ft) shooting guard admits he would like to hear his name called out during the award ceremony.

"It would mean so much if I could grab an individual trophy," he notes.

At the FIBA U18 African Championship in Madagascar, he finished with an average of 11.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest. He namely scored his best mark of the tournament against Mali in the Group Phase, with 18 points.

He recognizes the need to be in his best shape in Hungary.

"If I can’t finish as the top scorer, at least, I would like to finish among the top 5. And helping the team among the Top 8 teams would be an incredible achievement. With the players that have been playing in the senior league and the input of our overseas players, I really think we can do it."

To help him in his quest, he derives inspiration from when Mali finished second at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, only losing to USA in the Final.

"Mali had an incredible run at that World Cup. When I see that, I feel that the Top 8 is not out of reach. But I promise that if we reach the Quarter-Finals, we’re going to aim for more!"

FIBA