Boundy picked for Mali's AfroBasket preparations

BAMAKO (AfroBasket 2015) - Namory Boundy will be among the star attractions for Mali when a 10-day national team training camp tips off in the capital city of Bamako on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Rueil Athletic Club in France's NM1 (third division), was one of the national side's most important players at AfroBasket 2013 in Abidjan.

Mohamed Tangara, Abdrahamane Maiga, Mahamadou Kante, Boubacar Sidibe, and Ibrahima Haidara also featured for Mali two years ago in Cote d'Ivoire and like Boundy.

Each, like Boundy, is in the preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015.

The country's Basketball Federation (FMMB) and head coach Sylvain Lautie have also included exciting point guard Waly Coulibaly, who helped the team qualify for this summer's event in Tunis and Nabeul, Tunisia from 19-30 August.

Newly-elected FMMB president Jean-Claude Sidibe recently travelled to France to discuss the AfroBasket with potential players.

He is optimistic that Amara Sy and French-Malian Yohann Sangare will be available to help out.

Sy last played for Mali at AfroBasket 2009.

Meanwhile, France-born Sangare is yet to wear the Malian uniform.

Back in March, Tangara - who played alongside Coulibaly as Mali edged out Senegal in a two-game qualifier - told FIBA.com that the country could do a lot better than it did two years ago in Abidjan if Sangare and Sy are in the squad.

"We've got some good veteran players such as Yohann Sangare, Amara Sy and many others who are still in talks to rejoin the national team," the 31-year-old said at the time.

"Either way with young players or with our experienced veterans, we will have players who can get the job done."

Mali will face Cameroon, Gabon and Egypt in Group C in Tunisia.

"I like our chances in the Group C. Much respect to Egypt who participated in the [FIBA Basketball] World Cup," Tangara said.

"Cameroon is a big basketball country that has good players around the world.

"Gabon, we can't sleep on them, they did what they got to to be qualified, that's the reason they will come out with the mindset to win games."

Mali preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Mohamed Bah, Drissa Ballo, Namory Boundy, Sourata Cisse, Waly Coulibaly, Ba Sekou Diallo, Issa Diawara, Ibrahim Djambo, Bourama Doumbia, Mahamadou Drame, Ibrahima Haidara, Amadou Kaba, Mahamadou Kante, Moussa Kone, Abdrahamane Maiga, Boubacar Mounkoro, Amadou Sangare, Mohamed Sanogo, Boubakar Sidibe, Daouda Soumaoro, Mohamed Tangara and Sambou Traore.

FIBA