MIES (Switzerland) - Yousef Abdullah's Syrian roots have opened doors he never expected to find.
What began with an opportunity to play basketball in Syria eventually led to a senior national-team call-up, a starting role and the chance to compete against some of Asia's best. Now, after helping Syria reach the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Abdullah is beginning to see just how far that journey could take him.
Belonging
Abdullah's senior debut last window was about much more than simply earning his first cap.
For the Swedish-Syrian guard, it was a chance to test himself against some of the continent's best players and discover that he belonged on the same court.
"Being able to compete against some of the best teams in Asia and play against top-level players really made me feel like I can compete and that I deserve to be in that space," he said.
That confidence was only reinforced as Syria battled their way through the First Round and secured their place in the Second Round.
"We just had to really want it, believe in ourselves, and show people that we belong,"
Yousef Abdullah
For a player experiencing senior international basketball for the first time, the significance of that achievement was not lost on him.
"Putting on the Syrian jersey for the first time was a huge honor for me," he said. "Being able to represent an entire country, along with all the fans and supporters, meant a lot to me."
Across continents
Abdullah's path to the Syrian national team has taken him across different basketball cultures, with his experiences in Europe providing a foundation for what came next in Asia.
Playing in Europe and Asia has required plenty of adjustment, but Abdullah believes the lessons learned along the way have helped accelerate his development.
"Playing in Europe and Asia is a big difference," he added. "It definitely came with a lot of adjustments and getting used to a different style of basketball, but I think what I learned in Europe gave me a little bit of a head start for what was to come here in Asia."
His experiences in Asia spans playing in WASL to competing in the Syrian league and now, representing the national team. That has also broadened his vision of what might be on his career's horizon.
"It has shown me what’s possible for my future," he said.
Legacy
With that future comes an increasingly significant responsibility. Abdullah is already being viewed as one of the players who could help lead the next generation of Syrian basketball, a role he embraces rather than shies away from.
"Being honored to carry on the legacy of those who came before me while also creating my own legacy comes with a lot of excitement and drive to keep going and become the greatest player I can be," he explained.
And perhaps the biggest goal of all is now within sight.
"If we could qualify for the World Cup and make history for Syria, that would be something truly special, not just for myself, but for the whole country," he said.
For now, Abdullah knows there is still plenty of work to do.
"Now I just have to keep working hard, stay on track, and focus on what I need to do - for myself, my family, and the whole of Syria."
FIBA