ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Marcus Georges-Hunt never thought that he'd find himself suiting up for a team that he's actually competed against in the FIBA Asia club competition circuit over the last two years.
But playing for a club as storied as Al Riyadi is just too good of an opportunity to pass up, that's why it came as practically a no-brainer for him to say yes when the reigning BCL Asia champions came calling.
"Different offers came to me. I ended up in China first. And then Riyadi came calling. There was no better place to be," said the former NBA pro. "I played against them the last two years, I know what they're about."
Earlier this month, Georges-Hunt signed with the Yellow Castle after a reunion with the Sichuan Blue Whales in the CBA, marking the first time in his pro career that he's taken his talents to Lebanon.
But make no mistake about his knowledge of basketball in this region.
Fans and pundits know the Georgia Tech product so well, having played an important role that enabled Kuwait Club to rule the first two seasons of the WASL-Gulf League and a runner-up finish in the Final 8 inaugurals.
The wide-bodied winger was crucial as well in the history Shabab Ahli had written during the first-ever BCL Asia last year in Dubai, where they went all the way to the Final before bowing to the eventual champions.
Fast forward to now and he's with Al Riyadi, a move that some could see as ironic since the latter found a solution to their problem of filling the wing position in the form of someone they actually played against in the past.
"We were lucky to bring him to Lebanon and I think he's the perfect fit for us in the position," head coach Ahmad Farran offered. "We've been struggling the whole season finding the right player for the position."
Georges-Hunt was brought in to replace the high-scoring George King and Tuesday night became further proof of how much the former has addressed the team's woes following a standout performance.
The nine-year pro fired 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting as he starred in Al Riyadi's 94-79 victory over Al Difaa Al Jawi SC to open the Second Round of the 2024/2025 WASL-West Asia League at the Stade Nouhad Naufal.
That, of course, left the champion bench tactician satisfied, and excited as well with what the future holds, as he sees somebody who could potentially help them defend - and win more - championships.
Aside from the aforementioned titles, this team is also out to retain their Lebanese Basketball Championship crown, which if they do would not only mean a three-peat but would bring them back to WASL next season.
"I'm so happy with his contributions," said Farran as they went 5-0 in the tournament and could secure a ticket to the WASL Final with a win against Sagesse SC in another Beirut Derby set Wednesday night.
"And I believe game after game all the Lebanese fans will see a big player contributing and hopefully, we manage to defend all our titles with him. I believe he wants to do this and he wants to win with us," he added.
Farran & Co. are growing confident - and comfortable - with Georges-Hunt and the feeling is mutual, which could actually be bad news for the other teams looking to upend Al Riyadi and establish a new WASL-West Asia reign.
"They welcomed me with open arms. They help me day by day to learn the offense and just told me to be myself," he said. "Coach keeps on telling me to stay aggressive and be myself, and he just lets me play my game."
FIBA