2013 FIBA Africa Championship, Cote d'Ivoire. Head Coach
TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating national teams competing in the championship running from 19-30 August in Tunisia.
Team: Tunisia
FIBA Ranking Men: No. 23
Last participation in AfroBasket: 2013 (4 wins, 1 defeat; 9th place)
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: Africa champions 2011
Qualified as hosts of AfroBasket 2015.
TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating national teams competing in the championship running from 19-30 August in Tunisia.
Team: Tunisia
FIBA Ranking Men: No. 23
Last participation in AfroBasket: 2013 (4 wins, 1 defeat; 9th place)
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: Africa champions 2011
Qualified as hosts of AfroBasket 2015.
History/Qualification: One of the most regular national teams in the history of Africa's elite basketball tournament, Tunisia are hosting the competition for the third time after having done so in 1965 and 1987.
The growing popularity of basketball in Africa's northern most small country began to pay off when Tunisia upset some of the continent's household names, claiming third place at AfroBasket 2009 in neighbouring Libya.
As a result of their bronze medal in Tripoli, Tunisia made their world stage debut at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.
Despite losing all five of their games, the experience was dubbed as "positive" and they were expected to appear on the world stage sooner than most expected.
With an appearance in FIBA's flagship event under their belt and their strong determination to change the image of basketball on the African continent, Tunisia caused the biggest upset in recent AfroBasket history by edging out Angola in the Final of AfroBasket 2011 held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
In that tournament, Tunisia finished unbeaten in seven games.
The result was not only the biggest achievement ever in the country's basketball history, but it also allowed the North African nation to secure direct qualification for the 2012 London Olympics.
In the space of just three years, Tunisia - currently the second highest ranked African team behind Angola - moved from being an average contender to becoming one of Africa's top competitors. They came back down to earth after experiencing a disappointing campaign at AfroBasket 2013 where they finished ninth.
But Tunisia are among the frontrunners to grab the only direct place on offer for African teams to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Key Player: The 2.17m Salah Mejri has become an iconic figure in Tunisia's basketball in recent years, and his fellow Tunisians expect him to play a pivotal role at AfroBasket 2015.
Since being crowned the MVP of AfroBasket 2011, the 29-year-old's basketball career has never been the same. He went on to play during two seasons for Euroleague giants Real Madrid and has been linked with NBA teams.
Rising Star: Although Omar Abada is yet to make his debut with the senior team in international competition, the 22-year-old point guard has always been on coach Adel Tlatli's radar. And this may be his year to shine for the Tunisians. He starred for his country at 2011 U19 FIBA U19 World Championship.
Outlook: With the addition of naturalised USA-born Michael Roll, Tunisia made a bold statement of their intentions in the tournament.
Winning AfroBasket 2015 is clearly the only goal in the back mind of Tunisian players, coaching staff, fans and officials. The 1.98m shooting guard, who last played for Turk Telekom in the Turkish league, is expected to add his three-point prowess as well as share his European basketball experience.
But there is more.
As well as the home-court advantage factor, Tunisia's strongest point is probably their consistent squad. Adel Tlatli - the longest serving head coach in African basketball - has kept most of the players since 2009.
However, Tunisia will need to succeed in Group A against the Central African Republic (CAF), Nigeria and debutants Uganda.
In just six words: Strong contender, might reach the final.
The growing popularity of basketball in Africa's northern most small country began to pay off when Tunisia upset some of the continent's household names, claiming third place at AfroBasket 2009 in neighbouring Libya.
As a result of their bronze medal in Tripoli, Tunisia made their world stage debut at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey.
Despite losing all five of their games, the experience was dubbed as "positive" and they were expected to appear on the world stage sooner than most expected.
With an appearance in FIBA's flagship event under their belt and their strong determination to change the image of basketball on the African continent, Tunisia caused the biggest upset in recent AfroBasket history by edging out Angola in the Final of AfroBasket 2011 held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
In that tournament, Tunisia finished unbeaten in seven games.
The result was not only the biggest achievement ever in the country's basketball history, but it also allowed the North African nation to secure direct qualification for the 2012 London Olympics.
In the space of just three years, Tunisia - currently the second highest ranked African team behind Angola - moved from being an average contender to becoming one of Africa's top competitors. They came back down to earth after experiencing a disappointing campaign at AfroBasket 2013 where they finished ninth.
But Tunisia are among the frontrunners to grab the only direct place on offer for African teams to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Key Player: The 2.17m Salah Mejri has become an iconic figure in Tunisia's basketball in recent years, and his fellow Tunisians expect him to play a pivotal role at AfroBasket 2015.
Since being crowned the MVP of AfroBasket 2011, the 29-year-old's basketball career has never been the same. He went on to play during two seasons for Euroleague giants Real Madrid and has been linked with NBA teams.
Rising Star: Although Omar Abada is yet to make his debut with the senior team in international competition, the 22-year-old point guard has always been on coach Adel Tlatli's radar. And this may be his year to shine for the Tunisians. He starred for his country at 2011 U19 FIBA U19 World Championship.
Outlook: With the addition of naturalised USA-born Michael Roll, Tunisia made a bold statement of their intentions in the tournament.
Winning AfroBasket 2015 is clearly the only goal in the back mind of Tunisian players, coaching staff, fans and officials. The 1.98m shooting guard, who last played for Turk Telekom in the Turkish league, is expected to add his three-point prowess as well as share his European basketball experience.
But there is more.
As well as the home-court advantage factor, Tunisia's strongest point is probably their consistent squad. Adel Tlatli - the longest serving head coach in African basketball - has kept most of the players since 2009.
However, Tunisia will need to succeed in Group A against the Central African Republic (CAF), Nigeria and debutants Uganda.
In just six words: Strong contender, might reach the final.
By: FIBA.com
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