Courtside Global

  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 ...

Lebanon will be represented on an international stage once again. Youssef Khayyat and Amir Saoud, two of the brightest stars in Lebanese basketball, are set to participate in the Basketball 3×3 All-Star Game, organized by Match for Hope in collaboration with the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qatar and the Qatar Basketball Federation. The event takes place Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Place Vendôme – Gate 1 Eiffel, 2nd Floor in Qatar. 🕔 17:30–18:30 Qatar Time 🕓 16:30–17:30 Beirut Time Two Leaders, Two Powerhouses Youssef Khayyat, currently starring with Sagesse, has been one of the most consistent performers in the league this season. Through 13 games, the versatile forward is averaging: 19.3 points 8.5 rebounds 4.1 assists 1 steal 1 block Playing nearly 34 minutes a night, Khayyat has established himself as a true two-way force and a cornerstone for the Greens. On the other side, Amir Saoud, the dynamic guard of Riyadi, continues to deliver efficient offense and elite playm...

  Champville (Maristes) is actively trying to reinforce its roster by reaching out to several Division II players. On paper, that sounds normal. In reality, most of those players are saying no . And the reasons go much deeper than basketball. The Timing Makes No Sense Division II is about to start a competitive season in roughly six weeks . Many teams are preparing serious projects, some will add foreigners, and players are already locked into roles where they can grow, compete, and build a story. So from a player’s perspective: Why leave a stable situation… to join a struggling Division I team… with uncertainty everywhere? It simply doesn’t add up. The Reputation Problem Around the league, Champville’s name no longer carries the weight it once did. Players talk. Agents talk. Everyone knows what has been happening. Delayed payments. Unclear promises. Players left in difficult situations. Fair or not, the perception is there: this management failed its own players ...

Kawasaki Brave Thunders and Akita Northern Happinets exchanged contrasting results in a two-game back-to-back series on January 24 and January 25, featuring Lebanese standouts Omar Jamaleddine and Ali Mezher . The opening matchup delivered drama and high-level shot-making, while the second contest swung heavily in Akita’s favor. Despite uneven team outcomes, both players continue to grind through challenging situations with their respective clubs. Game 1 (Jan 24): Kawasaki 98, Akita 89 (OT) Kawasaki Brave Thunders pulled out an impressive overtime victory behind a balanced offensive effort, highlighted by a strong performance from Omar Jamaleddine . Jamaleddine logged 25 minutes , finishing with: 14 points 4 rebounds 5 assists 1 steal 50% shooting from the field He emerged as Kawasaki’s third-leading scorer and led the team in shot attempts , showcasing confidence and offensive responsibility in a tightly contested game. His ability to score, facilitate, and de...

Lebanese international Jihad El Khatib has officially renewed his contract with Central Club for the upcoming season, securing continuity for one of the team’s most reliable two-way contributors. However, the agreement includes an important clause: El Khatib will be permitted to leave Central should he obtain his United States green card , opening the door for a potential move abroad. A Cornerstone for Central El Khatib, who plays primarily at the small forward position, has been a steady presence for Central throughout the current campaign, averaging: 12.6 points per game 5.7 rebounds per game 2.6 assists per game 1.3 steals per game 0.8 blocks per game 31.8 minutes per game Efficiency rating: 13.6 His shooting profile reflects a versatile scorer: 51% on two-point field goals (48/94) 28% from three-point range (19/67) 65% from the free-throw line (11/17) El Khatib’s ability to score inside, rebound his position, and defend multiple spots has ...