CAGER Aalia Carlson hopes to bring a new dimension to the national basketball squad if she is granted her wish to represent the country in the future.
If everything goes well, the Malaysian-American will make her national team debut at the Phnom Penh Sea Games next year.
The 20-year-old, who currently plays collegiate basketball with Queens College in the United States, recently trained with the national squad in Kuala Lumpur.
Aalia is from Montclair, New Jersey. Her mother is from Perak, while her father is American.
"I am looking forward to representing Malaysia. The Malaysian Basketball Association are working on getting me clearance to play," said Aalia.
"It is a complicated process. Hopefully, I can play in the next Sea Games."
Aalia believes she can complement the squad with her different style of play.
"They play a different style of basketball here. It is a lot faster with more movement on the ball.
"In the US, it is a bit more about ISO and a one-on-one type of play.
"I understand that there might be a new coach coming in (to coach Malaysia), who will bring the same style of play that I am used to in the US.
"I think I will be able to fit into the system well.
"I feel like I can add to the team and bring in something fresh. I can shoot on the move and be a threat on the outside. I can also shoot threes (three-pointers).
"Having said that, the Malaysian team are very sharp with their passing, and I can learn from them to get on that level."
Aalia, who enjoys cooking and video games, said she has already bonded well with her Malaysian teammates.
"We get along very well. We
go very hard during training, but at the end of the day, we have fun," added Aalia.
"Practice sessions are never dull, we take the opportunity to get to know each other."
Aalia was on the court side when Malaysia clinched gold in the women's event at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
Malaysia did not win a medal in the 5x5 event in Manila 2019, but finished third at the Hanoi edition in May.