Hameed Ali Reflects on His NCAA College Career

The 22-year-old became Andreas Kapoulas’ latest summer signing from the Islanders, where he was named in the Third Team All-Southland Conference and earned Southland All-Defensive Team honours in his senior year.

“My time at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi helped me mature both on and off the court,” he told bristolflyers.co.uk.

“In my first couple of years at college I wasn’t as focussed. We used to play small so I used to always play the two or three spot.

“That really helped me develop as a point guard because I’d knew exactly where my team-mates were supposed to be on the floor at all times.”

Ali left Texas A&M Corpus-Christi as the programme's all-time leader in steals with 193 in his career. The American also finished in the top ten for career assists, free-throw percentage, three-pointers made and double-figure scoring games.

“I play the game mentally before I play the game physically,” he said.

“I like to get out in transition and cause havoc defensively, and then when we get out on the open floor I feel like my energy affects my team-mates in a good way.”

Ali quickly became a fan favourite for the Islanders, and the hashtag #BoTime rapidly started to trend amongst supporters on social media.

“Originally they called me MeedyBo, but then it got shortened down to just Bo.” he revealed.

“They started referring to the second half as ‘#BoTime’ because that’s when I used to do most of my scoring.”

#ThrowbackThursday to Hameed Ali saying "I got this!" #GoDers https://t.co/wYTTyqFXlr

— Islanders MBB (@IslandersMBB) May 19, 2016

Ali will link up with his new team-mates in Bristol for pre-season at the end of the month, as Flyers begin their preparations for the 2016/17 BBL campaign.

“I did a bit of a background check on the Flyers before I signed and saw they’re a relatively new team to the league,” he said.

“They missed out on the play-offs last year, so I just want to help them get back to the point where they were, if not better.

“Coach Kapoulas told me that the Flyers are a very defensive minded team and I feel like that’s my best attribute as a player.

“He said he wants to get out in transition and run a lot this year and that’s where I feel like I’m at my best.

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to play professional basketball in Europe and I can’t wait to get started.”

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