RAMALLAH (Palestine) - It has been a while since 2015, the first-ever and most recent time Palestine had qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup. Now, after barging their way through the Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers last year, Palestine is making a strong push to reach the biggest stage in Asian basketball once again.

For the Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, Palestine is drawn to Group F with Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and Jordan. It won't be easy – it never is – but if a National Team veteran like Jamal Abu Shamala believes his team can do, who is to deny him that they can’t?

“I think we have a great chance to qualify,” Abu Shamala said. “In the nine years that I have been a part of the Palestinian national team, I’ve seen some large steps forward.

“Many of the guys that I have played with over the years are now coaching the youth which has dramatically improved the level of play. As long as Sani Sakakini and some of our other veterans are playing, we will have a chance to win.

“With that being said, it will not be easy against these teams.”

No matter how tough it will be for Palestine and Abu Shamala, he knows how important it would be to make it back to the FIBA Asia Cup once again. The 32-year-old veteran is hopeful for another shot at that glory for his country.

“I’m nearing the end of my playing career and life is getting busier for me at home in the US, so personally, it would be an amazing way for me to wrap up my career,” he admitted. “I am confident that we have what it takes to qualify and I would be extremely proud if we were able to make another appearance. Another run at the Asia Cup would continue to grow basketball in Palestine.”

Abu Shamala has had a lengthy career over the years as a basketball player, from playing in the NCAA to the NBA D-League before returning to play in Asia. Still, the FIBA Asia Cup 2015 experience is one that he highly cherishes.

“That was an amazing experience for me,” the former Minnesota Golden Gopher expressed. “That was the most cohesive and organized national team that I was a part of since I have played in Palestine. Coach Jerry Steele had worked to develop a program that would have us prepared for the FIBA Asia Cup and that showed. All of the team worked extremely hard in preparation for that tournament and every player knew their role.”

“We were focused on making some noise in that tournament. We felt prepared and had a solid game plan before all of the games. We all knew our role on the team and played as one group rather than a team of individuals. When a team bands together and plays as one, amazing things can happen,” added the sharpshooting forward.

Something amazing did indeed happen. After trailing ever since the first quarter and by as much as 16 points to the Philippines in their Asia Cup debut game, Abushamala dropped a three to make it only a 2-point game with less than 2 minutes left on the clock. Less than 20 seconds later, he knocked down another long bomb. Palestine, a team that was playing in their first Asia Cup game ever, had the lead and a commanding control of the game against a powerhouse like the Philippines.

The players had already briefly burst in emotions after the earlier clutch plays by Abushamala and Sakakini. When the final buzzer sounded their victory, they were finally able to erupt in euphoria.

“Our whole team was thrilled after that win,” Abushamala recalled. “We knew how good of a team they were and how much they prepare for all of the international tournaments, so we just wanted to battle with them and see if we could keep the game close until the end.

“Winning that first game in the tournament gave us a lot of confidence moving forward and helped propel us in the games that followed.”

Palestine later finished the Asia Cup in 10^th place. Aside from their upset against the Philippines, they also scored a win over Kazakhstan and closely contested big teams like Jordan and Japan. The team came into the tournament as lesser known underdogs but went out of it with hard-earned respect from opponents and supporters.

“Our team almost always has that underdog mindset. I’ve never played on a team that has more heart and wants to prove themselves more than the Palestinian team. The fans have been so supportive and are optimistic no matter who we play.”

These battles at the Asia Cup allowed Abushamala to go up against some of the best in Asia while also giving him the chance to reminisce some past encounters. One of those opponents he’ll have the chance to face during the Asia Cup Qualifiers as well.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing against Jordan and Lebanon,” he said. “When I first went overseas, I played with Jordan and had an amazing experience. I learned how to become a professional by observing the way guys like Sam Daghlas, Enver Soobzokov, Zaid Abbas and Fadi El Khatib conducted themselves. I became friends with most of the older guys and have watched them grow and develop into amazing players. It is always fun competing with them when I go back and play.”

More than the excitement of playing against familiar faces is just the plain and simple joy of playing for the national team. You can always feel a strong sense of pride when discussing national team playing experiences with Abushamala and there’s one teammate he wants to credit for this experience in particular.

“Playing on the Palestinian National Team has been one of the greatest experiences in my life,” Abushamala said. “I’m extremely proud of the progress we’ve made and the relationships that I have built over the past decade. I have to give a special shoutout to Sani Sakakini for all he does for basketball in Palestine. For me, I work and have a career outside of basketball in the US and just have to show up and play in tournaments, but Sani is the guy that keeps everything in order with the team and is the true leader of that program. If it wasn’t for Sani reaching out to me personally back in 2011 to play with the team, I don’t think I would have ever been a part of the NT.”

Needless to say, Asia Cup 2015 holds a special place in Abushamala’s heart. The importance of the event was not only about the events that transpired during the event, but how the team had inspired for the future of Palestinian basketball.

“Playing in the Asia Cup was an amazing experience for our whole team. Everybody worked so hard leading up to the games, so it was a great lesson for the younger players on the team that if you put in the work and continue to progress, great things happen,” he said.

“Beating the Philippines was definitely the highlight of the tournament, but when I look back now, the advancements we made for basketball in Palestine was the biggest achievement. My teammates living in Palestine have inspired the younger generations and have been working with them to pass along their knowledge of the game.

“I have no doubt that there will be some great talent coming out of Palestine in the near future.”- Jamal Abushamala

 FIBA