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Seven Points for Antranik Lebanese Players in Forty Minutes: A Red Alarm for Lebanese Basketball

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This was not just another loss. This was a warning sign for Lebanese basketball. In Antranik’s heavy defeat against Riyadi, the most alarming statistic had nothing to do with the final score. It was the production, or rather the absence of production, from Antranik’s Lebanese players. Across 40 total minutes , Lebanese players combined for only 7 points . Antonio Habib finished with 5 points . Majd Nassar added 2 points . All seven points came in the fourth quarter , when Riyadi had already eased off defensively. Let that sink in. In a professional Lebanese league game, local players were virtually non-existent offensively for three full quarters. This is not an individual failure. This is a system failure . The current 3-imports-per-team rule is suffocating Lebanese talent. When three foreigners dominate usage, minutes, and ball-handling, local players are pushed into the corners, reduced to spectators, and stripped of any rhythm or confidence. They are asked to defend, rebound, an...
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Riyadi Cruise Past Antranik as Chris Brown Explodes for Career-High 41 Points

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Image : FIBA Riyadi once again showed why they are yhe most feared teams in the Lebanese league, cruising past Antranik with a convincing 107–86 victory in Round 17 of the championship. Riyadi won their 17 straight game this season with 0 losses. From the opening tip, Riyadi imposed their tempo. The ball movement was crisp, the defensive intensity was high, and the offensive execution left Antranik constantly chasing. By halftime, the gap was already clear, and the second half only confirmed Riyadi’s control of the game. The story of the night, however, belonged to Chris Brown. Brown delivered a sensational performance, pouring in 41 points in what stands as the best scoring game of his professional career so far. He attacked from everywhere on the floor, finishing strong at the rim, knocking down jumpers, and punishing mismatches. Even in a losing effort, his display was one of the brightest individual performances of the season. Despite this explosion, Brown fell just short of maki...
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A Vision for Lebanon Basketball: Building a Competitive National Team for the Next 5 Years

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 Lebanon basketball has always moved in cycles. Generations pass, leaders rise, and new talents slowly take shape. The country has never lacked skill. What it has often lacked is continuity, long-term planning, and a clear identity. When looking five years ahead, I truly believe Lebanon can build a national team that is competitive in Asia and dangerous internationally if the right pieces are  developed and placed in the right roles. Below is my personal vision of a 12–13 man roster that could represent Lebanon in the coming years. Point Guards • Wael Arakji – 195 cm Asia MVP 2022 with the national team. Asia MVP at club level. One of the most gifted offensive players Lebanon has ever produced. A true clutch performer. His legendary shots in the 2022 Asian Cup semifinals and finals and his heroic performance against France at the World Cup will always be remembered. He remains the face of Lebanese basketball and the primary ball handler. Image : FIBA • Ali Mansour Currentl...
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Karim Rtail: A Rising Lebanese Forward Building His Future in NCAA Division I

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Image: FIBA Karim Rtail’s journey in basketball is one of steady growth, international exposure, and long-term promise. Still very young, he has already experienced multiple basketball cultures across Europe, the Middle East, and international competitions with Lebanon — and now, he is taking his first steps in NCAA Division I basketball, focused on learning, adapting, and building his game. Born in Beirut in 2004, standing around 6’8–6’9 (203 cm), Rtail fits the modern forward profile with size, mobility, and upside. He is currently in his first year at NCAA Division I level , where the priority is clear: gaining experience, adjusting to pace and physicality, and preparing for a bigger role in the coming seasons. From a young age, Rtail has been part of Lebanon’s national team structure, which speaks to how highly he has been regarded by coaches and scouts. • Represented Lebanon in the 2022 FIBA U18 Asia Championship , helping the team reach the semifinals • Played at the 2023 FIBA U1...
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Mohammad Habhab: A Rising Lebanese Prospect Making Waves in NCAA Division I

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Lebanon may soon have another exciting name to add to its growing list of international basketball prospects. Mohammad Habhab, a 6’9” forward/center currently playing his freshman season with the Eastern Michigan Eagles, is steadily building a profile that suggests a very bright future — both with the Lebanese National Team and potentially at the professional level. Standing at 6’9” (206 cm) and weighing 205 lbs, Habhab possesses the kind of modern forward frame coaches love. Long, strong, mobile, and versatile, he already looks physically ready for the demands of NCAA Division I basketball. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, he is experiencing his first real test at the highest level of college basketball, and so far, he is passing it with confidence. In his first NCAA Division I season (2025–26) with Eastern Michigan, Habhab is already producing impressive numbers: 14.3 points per game 8.1 rebounds per game 3.0 assists per game 39.6% field goal percentage 35.7 minutes per g...
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Dedric Lawson Set to Remain Lebanon’s Naturalized Player for Upcoming Asian Qualifier Window

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Image : scoutbasketball Continuity matters. And for the Lebanese National Team, keeping Dedric Lawson in the mix might be one of the most important decisions heading into the next window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. The Lebanese federation has confirmed that Dedric Lawson will continue as Lebanon’s naturalized player for the upcoming games against India and Saudi Arabia (KSA) — a vote of confidence in a player who has quietly become one of the most reliable pieces in the national team setup. Lawson’s numbers with Lebanon speak for themselves: FIBA Asia Cup 2025: 14.0 points per game 8.2 rebounds per game Efficiency rating around 18 World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers (so far): 13.0 points per game 11.5 rebounds per game Efficiency near 18.5 Those are not flashy, headline-grabbing stats. They are better than that — they are winning-player stats. At 206 cm (6’9”), Lawson gives Lebanon something it has often lacked in recent years: a mobile big who can score ...
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One Shot, One Point, One Heartbreaker: UAE NT Survive a Thriller Against Al Ittihad and qualifies to Final

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Some games are decided early. Others stay close. And then there are games like this one — the kind that keeps everyone on edge until the very last possession. In a dramatic clash at the Dubai Basketball Championship 2026, UAE National Team edged Al Ittihad Libya 97–96 in a game that had everything: big shots, momentum swings, star performances, and a heartbreaking finish for the Libyan side. Image : FIBA From the opening tip, both teams made it clear this would be a battle. Al Ittihad started strong, taking the first quarter 24–21 behind aggressive drives and solid interior finishing. UAE answered in the second quarter, tightening their defense and moving the ball well to narrow the gap, but Al Ittihad still entered halftime with a slim 53–47 lead. The third quarter turned into a trading-buckets affair. Every UAE run was matched by an Al Ittihad response, as neither team managed to create real separation. Heading into the final quarter, the scoreboard reflected how evenly matched these...
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