Doha: The Qatari national basketball team continues its preparations for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17, 2025, with the participation of 16 Asian teams.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari national basketball team aspires to represent Qatari sport at this major sporting event, which includes the best teams on the continent. The team delegation departed Doha today for Saudi Arabia, two days before the start of the tournament.
The delegation is headed by Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) Secretary General and Director of National Teams Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, assisted by team manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani, and administrative assistant Nabil Juma.
The national team roster includes 12 players: Brandon Goodwin, Alen Hadzibegovic, Ndoye Seydou, Zineeddine Bedri, Tyler Harris, Aladji Magassa, Omar Saad, Moustapha Ndao, Mohammed Basher, Babacar Dieng, Abdulrahmn Saad, and Mahmoud Darwish.
In a move to strengthen the national team ahead of the tournament, the QBF announced the addition of 28-year-old American Brandon Goodwin, a playmaker with extensive professional experience. Goodwin previously represented the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks in the NBA, in addition to participating in several international tournaments.
The player began his athletic career at UCF and then transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University, where he excelled and was named the 2018 ASUN League Most Valuable Player.
In press statements, Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari emphasized that Goodwin's addition is regarded as a significant technical enhancement to the team, noting that the player's experience in international tournaments is expected to provide valuable support and contribute to achieving the team's objectives in the upcoming phase.
The FIBA Asia Cup 2025's draw placed Qatar in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon. Group B includes Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran; Group C includes China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia; while Group D will be comprised by Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines.