Courtside Global

This season in the Lebanese Basketball League, the conversation isn’t only about star imports and big budgets—it’s also about coaching. With teams navigating the 3-import rule, injuries, financial pressure, and wildly different rosters, coaches have been the real difference-makers. So who deserves the “Best Coach” crown so far? Image : FIBA  Ahmad Farran has been the headline name. Riyadi are currently 17–0, and when a team keeps winning week after week, that consistency isn’t luck—it’s structure, discipline, and game management. The way Riyadi controls tempo and executes in key moments is exactly what top coaching looks like. Joe Ghattas has kept Sagesse right near the top, sitting 2nd in the league, and his resume this season includes finishing 2nd in the last Arab Club Championship—a major achievement that shows his team can compete beyond the local stage. George Geagea has turned Central into the league’s black horse. Central don’t just “compete”—they look like a real threa...

  The past two week, Lebanese basketball delivered another uncomfortable reminder that something is deeply wrong with how officiating is handled in the league. • Jihad El Khatib was suspended for the game against Harajel after objecting to refereeing decisions following the Beirut game. • Beirut head coach Jad El Hajj received a two-game suspension for problems with referees. • Riyadi and Lebanese National Team head coach Ahmad Farran was also suspended for one game after arguing with officials. Three major basketball figures. Three punishments. One common theme. Yet… Where are the consequences for referees? Accountability Only Goes One Way Players get suspended. Coaches get suspended. Clubs get fined. But referees? Silence. Every season, we witness: • Missed obvious calls • Inconsistent foul interpretations • Late-game whistles that change outcomes • Zero public explanations And still: • No announced suspensions • No public reviews • No transparent evaluatio...

 Beirut SC continued their strong run at the Dubai Basketball Championship 2026 with a hard-fought 95–83 overtime victory over Tunisia’s Club Africain on Monday afternoon. It was not a pretty game. It was not an easy game. But it was a valuable one. Against a physical Tunisian side filled with national team-level talent, Beirut showed maturity, composure, and late-game execution. AJ English Takes Over The story of the game starts with AJ English. The veteran guard delivered a dominant performance: 32 points 7 rebounds 4 assists 31 efficiency rating Whenever Beirut needed a bucket, English answered. Whether attacking the rim, creating space off the dribble, or knocking down tough jumpers, English was the offensive engine that kept Beirut alive across regulation and ultimately pushed them over the top in overtime. Jad El Hajj Orchestrates the Win While English handled the scoring load, Jad El Hajj controlled the rhythm. El Hajj finished with: 20 points ...