Abdel Nader, a former player for the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, has announced that his country, Egypt, will compete in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Abdel Nader became the second-ever Egyptian player in the NBA after Alaa Abdelnaby when he was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 58th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
After winning the NBA D-League Rookie of the Year award with the Maine Celtics, Nader played with the Celtics in the 2017–18 campaign. However, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder the following year.
The Thunder traded Nader and Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns in November 2020. The Egyptian played for the Suns for five seasons before being dismissed in February 2022, during which time he had over 220 NBA appearances.
Although the 29-year-old has never played for Egypt in a formal match, he has announced that he will be playing for the Pharaohs in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Abdel Nader declared to Sada El-Balad, “I will 100% participate with Egypt in the World Cup next August.”
“My discussion with the Egyptian FA is ongoing.
Egypt’s World Cup qualification, in my opinion, indicates that basketball is growing and thriving there.
“I made multiple attempts to play for Egypt in the past, but it conflicted with my NBA commitments, and I also had a knee injury in February of last year.”
Due to my injuries, I struggled over the last time. I’m working hard to get well, and I should be back soon.
“I am currently concentrating on getting back on the court. I will play with the Egyptian national team for my first appearance, and then I will think about my future and which club to join,” he continued.
Egypt qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 with a victory over Tunisia, their seventh tournament appearance.
The Pharaohs played in their final World Cup in 2014, finishing in last place after losing all five of their games.
From August 25 to September 10, 2023, the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will serve as the hosts of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
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