Can Saudi Arabia repeat its 2013 Asian qualification run?

BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers - Western Region) – The last time Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) participated in the FIBA Asia Championship was in 2013.

The Gulf nation will be keen to take another step towards emulating that performance, with a strong showing at the Western Region Pre-Qualifiers.

KSA belongs to the Gulf sub-zone that also features Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE.

In the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup, formerly known as FIBA Asia Championship 2015,, Qatar and Kuwait qualified from this Sub-Zone. Then, in 2017, Qatar booked the sole available berth at the expense of KSA which finished 2^nd, narrowly losing 61-66 in the deciding tiebreaker.

At this year's GBA pre-qualifiers, KSA was on the verge of yet another heartbreak, before ultimately prevailing 88-85, in a thrilling last gasp victory over UAE.

Notably, KSA’s best ever continental performance came in the 1999 Asian Basketball Confederation Championship where it secured a historic bronze. In its most recent appearance in 2013, the side finished 13^th, ahead of Thailand and Malaysia.

It is premature to predict if the current squad has what it takes to replicate its 1999 medal finish. For now, KSA will have its eyes firmly set on next week’s Western Region Pre-Qualifiers. 

 FIBA