2019 FIBA World Cup: Tunisia expect to rely on Mejri

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Tunisia's men's national team are gearing up for the FIBA World Cup that will be held in China from August 31st to September 15th. Tunisia is one of five African finalists and most of their squad play in the domestic league, but they do have one NBA player in Salah Mejri and the Dallas Mavericks big man will be relied on in a big way. CGTN's Adnen Chaouachi has more.

Salah Mejri has joined the Tunisia basketball squad preparation for the 18th FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. The US based center is determined to show a good image of Tunisian basketball.

SALAH MEJRI TUNISIA CENTER "This generation of Tunisian basketball players are lucky to play the World Cup in China. I'm proud to be part of the national team and to raise Tunisia's flag high. My preparation kicked off in the United States and continues with the Tunisia squad."

Tunisia head coach insisted on having Salah on the official list of the Carthage basketball Eagles. Mario Palma believes that the 2.18 meter tall center will make the difference with his NBA experience.

MARIO PALMA TUNISIA COACH "Salah will play 9 matches and make an extraordinary contribution to the team. He's a special player with a special morphology. He'll help in the rebounds and the attack. He's strong in the one on one game."

Salah argues that facing Spain, which have reached the FIBA World Cup 11 times, winning it all in 2006 will be the most difficult match in group C.

SALAH MEJRI TUNISIA CENTER "Spain remains untouchable, but everything is possible in sport. We're focused on Iran and Puerto Rico. Tunisia has a fifty-fifty chance to win and to qualify to the 2nd round and why not the Olympics."

The FIBA Basketball World Cup in China will qualify directly 7 teams to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS, TUNISIA "After all of the games have been played in Tunisia's group C, the top two teams with the best records will qualify for the second round and the bottom two teams will play in the Classification Round. Tunisians will rely on Salah Mejri's international experience to take Tunisia to the uncharted waters. ADNEN CHAOUACHI, CGTN, TUNIS, TUNISIA."