Aiming to go deep, Sagesse finds renewed hope in Jonathan Gibson

GHAZIR (Lebanon) - Sagesse may have just found the solution to their stability issues at the point guard position following the arrival of veteran journeyman Jonathan Gibson.

The Lebanese side had never hidden how big of a hole Pierre Jackson left when he returned to China early last January, but the 36-year-old could just be the answer to their prayers.

He showed as much on Wednesday night in their very own home floor, when he finished with 29 points on seven three-pointers to power his crew to the 89-82 victory over Al Naft to quickly get back on track in the FIBA WASL-West Asia League Season 2.

Head coach Jad El Hajj couldn't be any happier to have finally brought in the former NBA player, whom the veteran mentor said he's been talking to since last year.

"I started talking to him in November. I knew how important he could be," he shared during the postgame press conference of their triumph at the Ghazir Club Stadium.

"A big, added value to the team. He's doing a great job playing -- whenever we want him to score, he's scoring. Passing. Sharing the ball. He's doing everything for the team," added the veteran mentor. "Hopefully we can get better day by day, and he takes us to the end."

It was just his first game in FIBA WASL, yet Gibson hardly struggled whatsoever. For him, that's huge thanks to the experiences he got playing in this part of the continent years back.

For starters, the 14-year pro played for Petrochimi and helped the team conquer the Iranian Basketball Super League in 2014. He also copped Finals MVP honors in the process.

"I think just the experience from playing in Iran, it's a similar game to playing here. Physical. And I think it prepared me well for here as well," said the former Boston Celtic, who shot 62.5-percent from the floor and also had 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the win.

But of course, it's not lost on the California-native that they have yet to reach where they would want to be as far as chemistry is concerned. although he's optimistic of it.

"We just gotta work on our communication and chemistry. But I think it's getting better day by day," he said. "We have to get better and trust each other, and we should be OK."

FIBA