In our "Prolific Personalities" series, we take a look at how our student-athletes are putting a positive spin on the year that's been, delving into the good that has come during an unprecedented time.  
 
Jamal Mayali, a political science senior on the McGill University men's basketball team, has made the best out of a difficult situation and found himself in the Middle East, one step closer to the Summer Olympics.
 
The coronavirus pandemic forced the 6-foot-4, 180-pound shooting guard off the court at McGill's Love Competition Hall and  resulted in the University implementing off-campus, online learning. Though these changes presented some challenges, they also provided Mayali with the opportunity to play for the Palestinian national team at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifying tournament in Bahrain last month. He played in two of Palestine's four games, a loss to Kazakhstan and a victory over Sri Lanka, while averaging a lofty 28.3 minutes of court-time, 13.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
 
"The online schooling has been challenging but I have managed to keep up with my schoolwork effectively," said Mayali from Dubai. "The constant travelling that I have been doing has made it difficult to have time to do anything. However, with the (internet), I can take my work everywhere which has helped me immensely."

The opportunity to play for the national team kind of fell into Mayali's lap when Ibrahim Habbash, president of the Palestine Basketball Federation, reached out to his Palestinian-born mother to show interest in bringing him out for the tourney.

"(She) let me know that I had an opportunity to represent Palestine and I jumped at the opportunity without hesitations," said the 22-year-old native of Toronto to the FIBA.com website.

A former member of the Ontario provincial team and a product of Bill Crothers secondary school in Toronto, Mayali is expected to graduate from McGill in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mayali accompanied the national team for tournament games in Amman (Jordan) and Manama (Bahrain) last month.

"They reached out to me over a year ago and have been wanting me to play for them. But I never had the time to participate in competitions because it conflicted with the McGill basketball season. Once there was no conflict, I was able to make the trip and represent the national team in the qualifiers for the Asia Cup. 

"The experience has been amazing. All the hard work that I have put into the game of basketball has provided me with this opportunity and I am very grateful."

A few weeks ago, Palestine finished second at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier, advancing to the next stage on a circuitous route to the Games. Up next is another FIBA Asia Cup tourney this summer and if Palestine does well there, they can qualify for the World Cup, then the Olympics would be on the horizon.

"My experience at McGill has been nothing short of spectacular. I have thoroughly enjoyed representing the University in competition as a player, along with continuing my studies at a reputable academic institution. I have found myself furthering my success as a student-athlete since attending McGill and I hope to continue that moving forward. 

"Playing in the Olympics would be a great accomplishment not just for me but for my country," says Mayali. "Our national team making the Olympics will bring a lot of happiness and hope for the people of Palestine. The whole country would be behind us and that achievement would bring a lot of recognition to many of the current issues within the nation."

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
McGill Athletics and Recreation
(514) 398- 7012
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
www.mcgillathletics.ca