Meet the FIBA WASL West Asia teams: Al Riyadi

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Al Riyadi are shooting for the ultimate prize as they are among the teams coming back for the newest FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) season opening soon.

The most successful Lebanese ball club is fueled by its desire to bag the FIBA WASL trophy home after falling short in the inaugural Final 8 in Dubai, where they settled for a fourth-place finish following unfortunate injuries suffered by Ali Mansour and then Wael Arakji.

But before looking that far ahead, what the crew of Coach Ahmad Farran would surely want to accomplish firstly is keeping their throne as kings of WASL-West Asia League.

 

History

A multi-sport club, Al Riyadi were founded in 1943 and eventually emerged as a basketball powerhouse. Since the Lebanese Basketball Championship was reformed in 1992, they have clinched 17 titles, the most recent of which was the 2023 edition.

 

The 'Yellow Castle' is very much known in all of Asia as well. They conquered the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in 2011 and 2017, and have had runner-up finishes thrice and three third-place campaigns as well in the flagship club competition of the region.

Emblem

Homecourt

Al Riyadi play their games at the Saeb Salam Stadium, located in Manara, Beirut. The 2,500-seater venue was built in 1991, which realized the club's dream for about 50 years prior.

Path to FIBA WASL

They won the 2022-23 Snips Lebanese Basketball Championship by dealing Dynamo Lebanon a gentleman's sweep in the best-of-7 series. Not only did Al Riyadi regain the crown they lost to Beirut Club the season prior but the triumpgh gave them another trip to FIBA WASL.

 

Players to watch

Chemistry will surely be a major factor for Al Riyadi in FIBA WASL Season 2. Aside from the aforementioned stars, the team made sure to lock other important figures such as Amir Saoud, Karim Zeinoun, and Hayk Gyokchyan during the offseason to keep their core together.

They are also bringing back Bosnian big man Elmedin Kikanovic, someone who has grown familiar with the squad as he had already played with them in the Final 8.

Adding even more experience to Al Riyadi will be Palestinian legend Sani Sakakini, who finds himself back in the Lebanese hoops scene seven years after he played for Champville SC.

 

FIBA