Senegal's Toure: ''I'm impatient to know our opponents at the World Cup''

FRIBOURG (Switzerland) - Tales of the exhilaration and effervescence that come with competing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup have always sounded like a myth to Senegal center Babacar Toure.

But come this summer, if the 33-year-old stays fit and is part of the "Lions of Teranga" roster heading to China for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, he will get a first-hand opportunity to unravel this mystery.

Toure played a pivotal role for Senegal during the African Qualifiers, contributing 17 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game to steer the West Africans to a 10-2 record and qualify for their fifth World Cup.

"I'm satisfied with the way we played during the Qualifiers and how we handled the pressure. We reached our objective and ended with the same record as Nigeria," Toure told FIBA.basketball.

The draw for the World Cup takes place on Saturday in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, and the 2.05m (6ft9in) big man can't wait to see who will be drawn in the same Group with them.

“I’m impatient to know our opponents at the World Cup. Obviously we’ll be pitted against some big nations with top players. We have some good players and there’s a great team cohesion. When we play, we forget about ourselves and do our best for our nation,"  he stated.

Now on the books of Fribourg Olympic in the Swiss Basketball League (SBL), the Kaolack native has his mind firmly turned on competing in his first planetary basketball showpiece in China

"It will be a dream come true to play in the World Cup but I’ve got to work a lot to get better. I have to be consistent with my club, play regularly and stay fit. Hopefully Coach Abdou Ndiaye will give me a nod. It’s a great challenge and I know it will be amazing playing in China," Toure admitted.

He believes Senegal have the right combo to go further in China than Senegal have done in their past four appearances.

"There’s a great team spirit, we have some talented players and we blend well. This is important and most of the big teams that have always succeeded have this in common. I think if we have the right determination and mentality, we can do some good things in China," he explained.

Toure is grateful for every minute on the court for basketball is what he treasures most in his life. Whenever he reminisces on the challenges he’s had to overcome, there’s a gregarious smile on his face. Were it not for his zeal to prove naysayers wrong, he probably would have never become a basketballer.

"I grew up in a family of sports lovers. My father is a judoka and loves martial arts while my brothers and cousins were into football. As a kid I played football and I was a good striker," he recalled.

"But I picked up the basketball virus watching Michael Jordan. He was elegant on the court and played so well. It was magical watching him play. His ability to make exceptional moves look easy captivated me. I wanted to be like him and replicate his moves. The more I watched Michael Jordan, the more I played.

"Once I took up the sport, I will go to courts and play for as long as I could. I wasn’t physically imposing and at times I struggled. Once, a coach told me I could never become a professional and that I wasn’t good enough. That hurt me and I decided I’ll do all I can to become one of the best basketball players from Senegal and fortunately I was able to achieve my dream.

Toure is clear on the goal he and his teammates must seek to achieve in China come August 31-September 15.

“For Senegal the goal will be to do better than in previous World Cups but also it will be an opportunity to prepare for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021  which we intend to win."

FIBA