A Team Connected by Trust
From the first check-ball, it was clear that Saudi Arabia’s strength didn’t lie in any single athlete, but in how they moved together. Passes zipped between teammates, Unified partners and athletes working together in unison.
While known primarily as a centre, Yousef showed impressive versatility. His dribbling confidently, with both ball movement and defence, precise. Blocking shots, he shifted seamlessly between maintaining possession and helping orchestrate the offence.
“Honestly, I’m very proud of my team. We played with great spirit, stayed focused, and showed strong teamwork on the court. Everyone gave their best effort, and that made our performance today really special.”
Yousef started playing basketball in his younger years at school, through the Unified Champion Schools program. “That’s where I discovered my love for the game, learned the basics, and gained confidence by playing alongside my teammates. I’ve also tried other sports like football, but basketball quickly became my favourite.”
Sportsmanship in the Spotlight
In a Day 1 matchup against the Dominican Republic, competition was fierce—but the spirit of inclusion remained strong. During a scramble for the ball under the rim, Saudi Arabia’s player Sameer Aldhahri (#11) was knocked to the ground.
His opponents rushed in, helping him to his feet with encouraging words. The crowd applauded the gesture, a reminder that even under pressure, unity is a key value throughout this global competition.
Yousef reflected on the moment with a smile, “That’s what I love about this game—we compete hard, but we support each other harder.” Dominican Republic came out on top with a score of 21-2.
Growing Forward, Together
Though Saudi Arabia did not advance to the finals, Yousef remains driven to evolve.
“Next time, I want to improve my passing, my positioning, and my communication,” he revealed. “Small details can make a big difference in tight games.”
Their opponents from Day 1, the Dominican Republic, will compete in the Men’s Final tonight, against hosts Puerto Rico. The game kicks off at 20:15 at the vibrant Distrito T-Mobile.
For Saudi Arabia, the World Cup has already come to an end, but their determination to come back sharper, faster, and ready for the next one is crystal clear.
Relive the action via the livestream!
