MAR - Meet Morocco new star

CASABLANCA (Afrobasket) - Two years ago, Reda Ali Harras was the youngest player in a Morocco team that finished eighth at the 16-team 2011 Afrobasket held in Madagascar.

Now, it is almost inevitable to talk about Morocco's expectations at this year's Afrobasket without mentioning the 19-year-old point guard at Wydad Athletic Club.

The 1.98m point guard believes his country is a podium contender despite some modest showings in recent years and new players joining the team.

"I am honoured to be part of the team at the Afrobasket and I hope to meet the expectations of the Moroccan public," he told FIBA.com.

Morocco's men's national team have not missed a continental tournament since 1997, although their most recent success dates back to a bronze medal in 1980 when they hosted the tournament.

They qualified for this summer's tournament in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, alongside Algeria in the FIBA Africa Zone 1.

Head coach Hassan Hachad is revamping a team that had an average age of 28 in 2011.

Although most members of the national team play in the country, Harras says they need to build a team and get used to each other during the preparations.

However the preparations for the Afrobasket are yet to be decided because of uncertainty in the country's basketball federation.

Morocco has been drawn in Group B of this year’s Afrobasket along Tunisia, Rwanda and Burkina Faso.

Harras is confident in Morocco's chances.

"Apart from the African champions Tunisia, I think both Rwanda and Burkina Faso are more or less beatable teams," he said.

"There are no underdog teams at Afrobasket. But I think we have our chances to qualify to the next round, I hope.

"We have a good team with great players and we hope our coaching staff will help and give us the right tactics."

Although Harras is still a teenager, he has a long history with Morocco national teams as he first represented the country in youth tournaments, starting at age 11.

Harras has become a regular with the men's senior team as he has recently shown his skills at the Arab Cup held in Lebanon, and the Pan-Arab Games in played in Qatar.

He has no shortage of ambition.

"I want to breakthrough in Moroccan basketball, and honour my coaches and possibly make it to a professional league overseas," he explained.

When asked where he gets some inspiration from, he has no doubt.

"My father," he answered. "He was a basketball player in Wydad and he has played for the national team. He has encouraged me a lot and keeps helping on improving my basketball skills."

FIBA