FIBA Basketball

    Sarr shortlists 20 players for AfroBasket 2015

    DAKAR (AfroBasket 2015) - Senegal head coach Cheick Sarr on Thursday revealed his 20-player preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015.

    DAKAR (AfroBasket 2015) - Senegal head coach Cheick Sarr on Thursday revealed his 20-player preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015.

    The core of the team is made up of 11 of the 12 players who featured for the team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

    ...

    Sarr explained his choice by stressing the need to build a team made up of players that know one another.

    "I prefer to build the team with players who had a great performance at the World Cup in Spain," he said.

    Sarr also called up new players for the training camp that will begin soon.

    Gorgui Dieng, who will make his AfroBasket debut, will be one of the great attractions of Senegal's team - and even of the tournament.

    The 2.11m Minnesota Timberwolves center had a breakout performances at Spain 2014, averaging 16 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in leading Senegal to their first-ever appearance in the Round of 16 of FIBA's flagship event.

    ...

    Although they failed to secure automatic qualification for AfroBasket 2015 by losing both games against Mali in Group B qualifiers, Senegal received a wild card and will compete in Group B along with defending champions Angola, Mozambique and Morocco.

    With key players including Maleye Ndoye, Hamady Ndiaye, Saer Sene and Mouhammad Faye also on board, the Senegalese are among the serious contenders to claim the continental title, which they last won in 1997.

    AfroBasket 2015 will take place from 19-30 August in Nabeul and Tunis, Tunisia and serve as qualifier for 2016 Olympics.

    The winner of the tournament will punch direct qualification for next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro.

    The teams that finish second and third will get another chance by playing in the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

    Senegal preliminary squad for AfroBasket 2015: Abdou Badji, Xane D'Almeida, Yannis Delaruelle, Lamine Diane, Gorgui Sy Dieng, Hyacinthe Diop, Mohamet Diop, Mouhammad Faye, Mansour Kasse, Ibrahima Mbengue, Cheikh Tidiane Mbodj, Antoine Mendy, Hamady Ndiaye, Thierno Ibrahima Niang, Ibrahima Niang, Mamadou Ndoye, Maleye Ndoye, Maurice Ndour, Mohamed Saer Sene, Ibrahima Thomas.

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