RADES (AfroBasket 2015) - Mali's Ibrahim Djambo is living a basketball dream of representing his country at AfroBasket 2015.
Since the moment he received a call to play for Mali in Rades, Tunisia, the former Clemson University forward didn't need to think too long or hard before accepting the offer as it was a superb opportunity to make history.
"This is my country and I want to defend it," he told FIBA.com.
Since the moment he received a call to play for Mali in Rades, Tunisia, the former Clemson University forward didn't need to think too long or hard before accepting the offer as it was a superb opportunity to make history.
"This is my country and I want to defend it," he told FIBA.com.
Mali advanced to the Round of 16 with a 1-2 mark after defeats to Cameroon and Egypt and a win over Gabon.
As for Mali's ambitions in this year's edition of Africa's flagship event, the 23-year-old points to the fact that they are on a mission.
We are here to have a chance to go to the Olympics. - Djambo
"We are not here just to participate. We are here to go as far as possible," he warned.
And the reason Djambo feels so confident is because he believes that his country has talents enough to face whichever team comes their way.
"I would say to people to come and watch us [in Mali].
"People won't be disappointed. There is a lot of talent in Mali. You can tell as right now we've got Cheikh Diallo who plays for Kansas [University] and was one of the best players in high school."
Djambo is also making the most of his time in the US collegiate ranks. Although he sat out the 2014-15 season, he is expected to play for Hofstra University this upcoming season.
And, playing for Mali in Tunisia should boost his confidence moving forward in his basketball career.
"I am excited to be here and play with all these guys that I was watching and be[ing] a fan [of], and now I am playing against them, it really helps me a lot," he explained.
"To be in this national team and play for my country is a great opportunity to represent my family. It means a lot."
Djambo is making his international debut with Mali. When asked why it has taken so long in order for him to represent Mali, he said: "It's just about time. Sometimes you didn't have the right person to make the call, and you didn't know how to contact people to come to play. That's why it took so long [to represent Mali]."
Mali take on West Africa rivals Cote d'Ivoire in Tuesday's Round of 16 action.
As for Mali's ambitions in this year's edition of Africa's flagship event, the 23-year-old points to the fact that they are on a mission.
We are here to have a chance to go to the Olympics. - Djambo
"We are not here just to participate. We are here to go as far as possible," he warned.
And the reason Djambo feels so confident is because he believes that his country has talents enough to face whichever team comes their way.
"I would say to people to come and watch us [in Mali].
"People won't be disappointed. There is a lot of talent in Mali. You can tell as right now we've got Cheikh Diallo who plays for Kansas [University] and was one of the best players in high school."
Djambo is also making the most of his time in the US collegiate ranks. Although he sat out the 2014-15 season, he is expected to play for Hofstra University this upcoming season.
And, playing for Mali in Tunisia should boost his confidence moving forward in his basketball career.
"I am excited to be here and play with all these guys that I was watching and be[ing] a fan [of], and now I am playing against them, it really helps me a lot," he explained.
"To be in this national team and play for my country is a great opportunity to represent my family. It means a lot."
Djambo is making his international debut with Mali. When asked why it has taken so long in order for him to represent Mali, he said: "It's just about time. Sometimes you didn't have the right person to make the call, and you didn't know how to contact people to come to play. That's why it took so long [to represent Mali]."
Mali take on West Africa rivals Cote d'Ivoire in Tuesday's Round of 16 action.
By: FIBA.com
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