Basketball squad hosts King’s Cup

By Aline Bannayan - Nov 14,2024 - Last updated at Nov 14,2024

AMMAN — Jordan’s national basketball team hosts the 12thKing Abdullah Cup (The King’s Cup) this week as part of their final countdown ahead of the window 2 of Group D qualifiers for the 31st FIBA Asia Cup 2025.

The four nation King’s Cup will see Jordan play Palestine, Syria and Qatar from November 16-18 and will be the final chance to test team readiness ahead of the qualifiers followinga training camp ageist leading Egyptian clubs this week.

Last year, Jordan beat Portugal, Angola and Mexico to win the title of the 11th King’s Cup.

Jordan’s squad regrouped recently with naturalised pro Dar Tucker joining the lineup replacing Rondae Hollis-Jeffersonfor this window of qualifiers. The Kingdom currently tops the group and will host Iraq on November 22 before playing an away match against Palestine in Jeddah on November 25. In window 1, Jordan beat Palestine 73-46 and Saudi Arabia 79-64. In other matches, Iraq beat Palestine 75-72 as Saudi Arabia beat Iraq 64-58.

Jordan pins hopes on Ahmad Duweiri, Freddie Ibrahim andTucker alongside a good number of younger players who might still need top level competitive experience.

Observers have noted the lack of cohesive teamwork and minimal bench support as Jordan’s biggest weaknesses. In window 3 in February, Jordan will face Saudi on February 21, before playing Iraq on February 24, 2025.

A total of 24 teams are playing Round 1 qualification matches for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in three windows, while also battling for qualifying spots for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup alongside hosts Qatar who automatically advanced. The top two teams of each qualifying group move tothe FIBA Asia Cup and the six third-placed teams will play another qualifying round for the final four places. The 31stFIBA Asia Cup will be hosted in Saudi Arabia from August 5-17, 2025.

Jordan previously qualified to the FIBA Asia Cup (formerly FIBA Asia Championship) 16 times. In the last edition Jordan finished 4th in 2022, while their best position was finishing runner-up in 2011.

King Abdullah Cup record

2002 | Saudi Arabia

2003 | Egypt

2004 | Jordan

2005 | Lebanon

2006 | Lebanon (Riyadi Club)

2007 | Jordan

2008 | Tunisia

2011 | Jordan

2020 | Lebanon

2021 | Jordan

2023 | Jordan