SHENZHEN (China) - Lebanon's U18 Women's team has taken the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup - Division B by storm, and at the heart of their success is a young guard celebrating a birthday and a dream.
Maygen Naassan, who turned 18 on the tournament's opening day, has overcome a slow start to become a key contributor for Lebanon. Despite a setback against the Philippines in their first game, Naassan and Team Lebanon have bounced back, showcasing her vision and hustle as Lebanon dominated Maldives and Hong Kong China.
Their toughest challenge came in the semi-finals against Iran, but Lebanon emerged victorious 64-49. Now, they face the Philippines again, this time in the final, with a shot at promotion to Division A on the line.
"I had a very slow start," Naassan said about the semi-final against Iran, "but my teammates supported me. I just saw the extra pass, gave it my all, and to make the final is huge for us."
Beyond basketball, Naassan is impressed with her first visit to China. "This city is amazing," she enthused. "It's our first time in China, the agriculture and the nature are amazing, and the people are so welcoming."
This tournament is just another step in Naassan's basketball journey. Having previously represented Lebanon at the youth level, her sights are now set on bigger things. "My goal is to make it to the Division One ladies in Lebanon," she revealed. "We have trials following this tournament."
The Lebanese Division One Women's League, featuring powerhouses like Beirut Club and Al Riyadi Beirut, is sure to be watching Naassan's performance closely. This includes national team icon Rebecca Akl, who currently plays for Al Riyadi Beirut.
But basketball isn't just about competition for Naassan. "The situation in Lebanon is hard," she acknowledged. "But when we come to these events representing our country, we remind ourselves that we are representing our people and fighting for everyone back home. We play with pride."
Naassan's passion extends beyond basketball. "I played football four years ago," she shared, "but this game, basketball, is played with way too much heart to ever go back."
For young girls starting their basketball journey, Naassan has a simple message:
Keep on working, keep your head up, no matter how hard it is, you never know where your journey will take you.
With her determination and talent, Maygen Naassan's journey in basketball seems to be just beginning. Can she lead Lebanon to promotion and secure a spot in the national team? The finals against the Philippines promise to be an exciting culmination to a remarkable tournament for this young star.