By: Nailah Thomas
Coming from overseas, Dubai brought its talent to North Carolina and South Carolina this summer to showcase its talent! Every game they played was intense and they managed to keep several of the games close, as it was an experience for the entire program to get adjusted more to the game here in the US.
“For my guys, some came last year so for them it’s just adding another level of experience,” Coach Bilal Abdullah told Phenom Hoops. “We got a few guys; our guard Moustapha (Ndao) and our 2 bigs, Bessem (Khalifa) and Salah (Wajeeh).” Guard Moustapha Ndao constantly led the team in double-digits each game. Khalifa and Wajeeh work great together down low offensively and on the defensive end.
“I think they are college-ready,” Abdullah said. “They came with us looking for an opportunity. They’ve gone so far in this tournament and the last Phenom tournament.”
Have you ever wondered about the main difference between playing in the States and Dubai' In terms of skill, there is not much to differentiate from. “But more in terms of what’s new like the step back, everybody is doing that at eight years old here and more advance people do that over there (in Dubai).”
Adjusting wasn’t too hard for the Dubai Tribe. “We can do the same as everybody else; it’s a physicality difference and a speed difference that we have to get used to, it’s a lot more physical and faster.”
This team has been working hard every day to play its best this summer and make the trip worth it. Playing on the Phenom platform has allowed them to do just that; get more exposure, develop as players, and unite as a team as they continue to look for more opportunities while they are here in the US.
“(We are) just looking to play as many games as we can and help the guys with as much exposure as we can get it. They play and work hard. They’re in the gym three times a day every day plus the weight room, so hopefully that shows on the court.”