MIES (Switzerland) - On a FIBA 3x3 court, Nasser AlMusawi moves with urgency and intent. Every cut is purposeful and every possession valued. It’s the look of a competitor who understands time, opportunity and the privilege of stepping on the court. For AlMusawi, 3x3 basketball is no longer just a game. It is proof.
Beyond the bright lights and fast pace of the halfcourt, AlMusawi is grounded by family. Growing up alongside his autistic brother shaped him early, teaching patience, responsibility and unconditional support. Those lessons followed him into adulthood, where he balances elite-level basketball with a growing business career.
"Success isn’t just about the game," he says. "It’s about being dependable, growing as a man and giving your best to the people who matter most."
Finding His Game
Basketball entered his life in its simplest form. He had summer games with cousins, played purely for joy. At 14, that joy turned serious as he began his 5-on-5 journey. However, it wasn’t until March 2025, during the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup qualification in Singapore, that he discovered a format that truly fit him. The pace, freedom and intensity of 3x3 basketball clicked instantly.
"That’s when I knew this format matched my style and competitive mindset," he recalls.
Wearing the National Jersey
Wearing the Bahrain jersey today carries extra meaning. AlMusawi missed key opportunities earlier in his career due to illness, making each appearance now feel earned.
"Representing Bahrain means everything," he says. "Knowing what I’ve been through makes every moment more meaningful."
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
That perspective was forged at just 16 years old. An injury during national team practice led to routine checks, then blood tests and finally a diagnosis: early-stage leukemia.
"I felt lucky and unlucky at the same time," he remembers.
His life paused immediately as treatment began. As a young athlete, the hardest thought was not being able to travel or compete, but he leaned into mental strength -- for himself and for his family.
Holding On to the Game
Even when he couldn’t play, basketball remained a constant. The game, along with unwavering support from family, friends and teammates, helped him stay focused and positive through treatment. Recovery was not just physical. It was more about belief. The biggest challenge, he says, was proving, both to himself and others, that he could still compete at the highest level.
The Road Back
The turning point came when he was selected again for the Bahrain national team in the same year he returned from treatment.
"That’s when I knew I was really back," AlMusawi says.
Since then, his relationship with pressure has changed. Opportunities are no longer assumed but embraced. Every step onto the court is a reminder not to take a single moment for granted.
Sending a Message
Cancer reshaped his life beyond basketball as well. It clarified relationships and reinforced his commitment to doing right by those who stood by him in the hardest moments. For World Cancer Day, his message is simple and steady.
"Be strong no matter what comes your way," he says. "Always believe in yourself. Tough times don’t define you -- how you respond to them does."
Today, AlMusawi carries one guiding habit from his recovery into every day. That's loving what he does, fully and gratefully. On the 3x3 basketball court, that mindset shows. Not in grand gestures, but in quiet resilience as AlMusawi plays every possession like it's the lase one.
FIBA