From Egypt to Dubai to Canada: Mahmoud Khalifa Becomes the First NPH International Prep Placement Success Story of the BAA × NPH Partnership

DUBAI, UAE — When Ball Above All (BAA) and North Pole Hoops (NPH) announced their partnership, the mission was simple:

Create a genuine pathway connecting elite basketball talent from the Middle East to prep schools, colleges, and professional opportunities throughout North America.

Today, that vision has become reality.

North Pole Hoops is proud to announce that Mahmoud Khalifa, a 6’5” Class of 2029 shooting guard born in Egypt and raised in Dubai, has officially committed to Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS Prep Basketball) in New Brunswick, where he will compete in the National Preparatory Association (NPA) during the 2026-27 season.

Mahmoud becomes one of the first major International Prep Placement success stories born directly from the BAA NPH Showcase League, validating the international development model established by both organizations.

A Journey Across Continents

Mahmoud’s basketball journey has crossed borders long before stepping onto Canadian soil.

Born in Egypt, his family later relocated to Dubai, where he continued developing his game while competing for Hoops Dreams Basketball.

It was there that he entered the inaugural BAA NPH Showcase League, a league specifically designed to provide international athletes with professional scouting, exposure, player evaluations, and direct access to prep school opportunities throughout North America.

From the very beginning, Mahmoud separated himself.

He finished among the league’s most productive players, averaging:

• 30.9 Points per Game (1st)
• 3.3 Steals per Game (1st)
• 8.7 Rebounds per Game (4th)
• 3.0 Assists per Game (4th)

His combination of size, length, offensive versatility and feel for the game quickly caught the attention of NPH Scouting.

More Than Numbers

While the production was impressive, Mahmoud’s long-term potential made the biggest impression.

According to the NPH Scouting Report:

“Mahmoud Khalifa’s size, length, and fluid movement give him clear long-term upside. He thrives attacking mismatches, finishing at the rim, and pushing in transition while showing flashes as a secondary creator. Known for his poise, coachability, and leadership, Khalifa projects as a versatile two-way guard with significant long-term potential.”

Those evaluations ultimately led to his recruitment through North Pole Hoops International Prep Placement (IPP)—NPH’s premium service connecting student-athletes with leading prep basketball programs across Canada and the United States.

Continuing the Vision

This commitment represents something much larger than a single player changing schools.

It represents the realization of a vision shared by Belal Abiad, founder of Ball Above All, and Tariq Sbiet, founder and CEO of North Pole Hoops.

Together, they believed elite basketball talent already existed throughout the Middle East.

What was missing was a legitimate pathway.

Through the BAA NPH Showcase League, NPH Scouting, and International Prep Placement, that pathway now exists.

Mahmoud Khalifa is living proof.

The Next Chapter

Beginning this fall, Mahmoud will join the RNS Prep Basketball program, one of Canada’s respected prep basketball environments competing in the National Preparatory Association. The program emphasizes high-level competition, academic development, and preparing student-athletes for university basketball.

For Mahmoud, it’s the next step in an international journey.

For BAA and North Pole Hoops, it’s confirmation that their mission is working.

For every young athlete across the Middle East…

The pathway is now real.