Krayem would make a big difference for Palestine

RAMALLAH (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Palestine's emergence in international basketball has been one of the big developments in the sport on the Asian continent this summer.

Riding the back of their superstar Sani Sakakini, the Palestinians clinched a third-place finish at the WABA Championship in Amman, Jordan, to seal a place in the FIBA Asia Championship for the first time.

At the event in Changsha, China, which runs from 23 September to 3 October, Palestine will compete in Group B with the Philippines, Kuwait and the team that comes through from East Asia.

Palestine were good at the WABA Championship, but according to Sakakini, they would be even better with a new player or two in Changsha.

One such player who would be a tremendous asset is guard Omar Krayem, who missed the WABA Championship because of his commitments to playing professionally in the Philippines.

"It's a very high possibility," Krayem said, when asked of his potential involvement with the national team.

"But I need to go home and get some downtime."

Kryayem, who hails from California, has impressed in numerous stops overseas.

Since leaving Eastern Washington University, he has played in Hungary, Sweden, Mexico, Finland and most recently the Philippines.

One of his admirers is Gilas coach Tab Baldwin.

I'm excited to compete. - Krayem

"He's a good player," Baldwin said in Business World Online.

"He's quick, he can shoot the basketball.

"He can play the point position and he can also play the off-guard position.

"Any team that he will join, he will be a strong addition to them."

Krayem said after playing for Globalport in the Philippines that he needed to recharge the batteries.

"I need to get some rest then talk to the national team and see what the plan is," he said.

"Hopefully, I make it there in September."

FIBA