Despite having a short career, he is considered to be one of the best players of all time in Iraq, being known for his tenacity and attacking threat.
Like all up and coming Iraqi players, "It all started in the streets" as Basil was once quoted.
At the age of 16, he moved on to the club of Tammuz, a Junior team belonging to Nadi Al-Athori, where he caught the eye of the then first division Al-Amana coach Mustufa Auda.
Throughout his youth, Basil points to Zia Isaac as the one who coached him into the player he would become.
In 1995, he joined semi-professional club Scarborough Astros of the Canadian National Soccer League, helping them to the Ontario Cup Final losing on penalties to St.Catharines Roma Wolves.