Morning Stars in an exclusive interview with basketball player and coach Raed Abdul Karim Abdul Jabbar

Interview by Mr. Michel Saber

Raed Abdul Karim Abdul Jabbar is a name frequently echoed in the world of Iraqi and international basketball. A distinguished player, a skilled coach, and a visionary leader committed to advancing the sport, he sat down with Morning Stars magazine to share his fascinating journey between Iraq and the world.

To start, tell us about your beginnings in basketball.

My basketball journey began with the Al-Talaba Club, where I had the opportunity to represent the first team under the supervision of Coach Khalid Najm. That period was full of challenges, but I managed to prove myself as a talented player, which drew attention to me.
Later, I moved to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Club, which included some of the most prominent players. Under the leadership of Coach Ghazi Talib, we achieved the dream of winning the Iraqi Basketball League Shield, an accomplishment I hold dear.

How did your professional career progress after that?

After my success with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, I joined Al-Karkh Club, where I continued achieving victories and won the league shield again. Internationally, playing for the Iraqi national team was one of the highlights of my career, particularly the decisive match against the Jordanian national team, where we secured first place.

When did you decide to pursue a coaching career?

I felt I had reached a stage where I could share my experiences with the younger generations. I began my coaching journey with the team Wisam Al-Majd, where I focused on establishing a solid foundation for the team and developing young players.
Later, I founded the Future Basketball Team to strengthen the sport in Iraq and introduce new talents to the scene.

We understand you had an international coaching experience. How was that?

Indeed, it was an enriching and significant experience. In Australia, I focused on advancing myself as a coach and successfully led the Parramatta team to promotion to the first division, in addition to winning the Sydney Colleges Championship. My journey didn’t stop there—I moved to Canada and the USA to acquire modern coaching techniques and methods. I then returned to the Middle East, where I received an offer to coach the Emirati Baniyas Club. I worked with them for an entire season before returning to Australia to continue my career.

In your opinion, what impact have you had on Iraqi basketball?

I believe I have contributed to the development of the game, both as a player and a coach. I achieved titles that elevated Iraq’s name and worked on transferring my international expertise to develop young players. I still aspire to do more to serve sports in my country.

What is your message to young players?

Perseverance and hard work are the keys to success. There are no limits to what can be achieved when talent is coupled with determination. I also encourage them to seize every opportunity to improve themselves, both on and off the court.

Morning Stars: Thank you, Raed, for your time and inspiring insights.
Raed Abdul Karim: Thank you. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about my journey, and I hope I have offered something that inspires future generations.