Lebanese FLB 2011-2012 Signings and Rumours

[lebanese phoenix]

I remember first hearing about his name from Dani when I first joined here in IBN more than 3 years ago ... So I guess we will finally get the chance to see what his real level is.
I really hope that he's good and can be helpful not only for Champville but also for our NT!

man with all due respect to champville's efforts,but i dont think that this thiago guy is any good, i mean the guy doesent even play in brazil div 1 league, if i have my hopes high i would say that he's as good as roy samaha,but realistically speaking, i'd say he's just a taller version of nadim hawi
hope i'm wrong and really hope he can devellop in the lebanese league just like charles tabet did,i'm sure GS will get the best out of his talents.
but for now i dont see him the NT

[leb-basket]

man with all due respect to champville's efforts,but i dont think that this thiago guy is any good, i mean the guy doesent even play in brazil div 1 league, if i have my hopes high i would say that he's as good as roy samaha,but realistically speaking, i'd say he's just a taller version of nadim hawi
hope i'm wrong and really hope he can devellop in the lebanese league just like charles tabet did,i'm sure GS will get the best out of his talents.
but for now i dont see him the NT

he stopped balling since 2009 so i bet he is worse now lol

[daniab]

Anibal Zahle pursue talent aggressively in bid to challenge Riyadi’s hegemony

August 02, 2011 01:12 AM
By Dany Abboud
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s national basketball league enjoyed something of a renaissance last season with intense competition across the board creating more interest beyond how much Riyadi would win the league by.

Although Riyadi did eventually take the crown – their seventh in a row – they were made to fight for their top seeding from up-and-coming teams such as Anibal Zahle and Mouttahed Tripoli.

The close season this year has seen a flurry of activity with teams looking to recruit players to help topple Riyadi’s hegemony.

Anibal Zahle, which had a promising record last season beating every team in the league including Riyadi, but failed to make the Final Four, have been the most active team behind the scenes renewing the contracts of trio Rodrigue Akl, Charles Tabet and Roy Samaha putting to an end to all the speculation and rumors circulating around about a possible departure.

Anibal have almost finalized a two-year deal with Lebanese shooting guard Mazen Mneimneh according to different sources, including Khalil Massaad the president of the club.

“We have almost agreed with Mneimneh to sign with the team, he is absolutely a big addition to us. Next to the [re-signing] of our players, and in case we do not reach a happy ending with Mneimneh, we will keep the doors open for other choices,” Massaad told The Daily star.

He considers Jihad al-Murr an essential part of the team, despite the player missing half of the season due to injury. “I had a call with him last night, he told me that he is ready and eager to come and help the team, but he is waiting for the green light from his doctor to come, he is one of the big family here,” Massaad said.

He also revealed that they agreed terms with the Serbian head coach Perisic Miodrag, who is currently managing the Egyptian national team prior FIBA Africa Championship next month and will arrive in Lebanon next September to start preparing the team for the upcoming season.

Massaad insisted that the team’s objective for next season is nothing less than reaching at least the semifinals, and added: “Why not to have a shot at the title, we have the best players locally, and will be bringing two high level imports as well, one of them might be American Jay Youngblood.”

Youngblood, aka “highflyer,” played last season with Champville, and he quickly left his fingerprints in the Lebanese courts, averaging 20.1 points and 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.

Massaad also revealed that the budget of Anibal has been increased noticeably this year, from $650,000 to $850,000, due to the continuous support of the Lebanese businessman Wadih al-Absi, whom he described as the soul of the team and the biggest supporter, morally and financially

[samer_1_2]

I can summarize the important teams as following:

- Champville will be the strongest I assume: With Lary cox/Garnett tompson under the basket/Fadi Khateeb/Estefan in Guard and FW positions.. I think the new comer Thiago Makhlouf is not that important.. He might be later once He gets involved in the system after 2 years stop..
Champville still need another FW .. he will be than very dangerous..

- Riyadi: Strong to beat teams, but Loren woods leave will affect a lot on the performance.. he s good with Ali Kenaan and Faris..he crucially needs a big Center and a backup FW and guard.. I think Ismael Ahmad should stay and they have to look for a big center

- Anibal: Seems to have a strong team after this big budget especially with his trio Rodrigue Akl, Charles Tabet and Roy Samaha and later Mneinmeh. If he brins a hight caliber two foreigners he will be dangerous on all teams

- Mouttahed: I assume he will stay at the same level as last year.. no real progress.. almost same lebanese and same americans

- Sagesse: If Talal Makdessi stays in the club, he might be strong,,, but not strong enough to compete the title

- Other teams willl not have any role in competing

[Le MaK]

I can summarize the important teams as following:

- Champville will be the strongest I assume: With Lary cox/Garnett tompson under the basket/Fadi Khateeb/Estefan in Guard and FW positions.. I think the new comer Thiago Makhlouf is not that important.. He might be later once He gets involved in the system after 2 years stop..
Champville still need another FW .. he will be than very dangerous..

- Riyadi: Strong to beat teams, but Loren woods leave will affect a lot on the performance.. he s good with Ali Kenaan and Faris..he crucially needs a big Center and a backup FW and guard.. I think Ismael Ahmad should stay and they have to look for a big center

- Anibal: Seems to have a strong team after this big budget especially with his trio Rodrigue Akl, Charles Tabet and Roy Samaha and later Mneinmeh. If he brins a hight caliber two foreigners he will be dangerous on all teams

- Mouttahed: I assume he will stay at the same level as last year.. no real progress.. almost same lebanese and same americans

- Sagesse: If Talal Makdessi stays in the club, he might be strong,,, but not strong enough to compete the title

- Other teams willl not have any role in competing

Starting with Champville:
Having Miguel, Moe and Karl on the PG position is way more than enough to handle this spot !
As for the Guard position, Elie Estephane , hussein el khatib with the addition of the 3 PGs who can @ any time play the SG position if needed.
The Small Forward position with Fadi el khatib , Abboudy el farkh and khalil aoun is highly impressive .

now for the most important factor, the PF and C Position, Garnett thompson and Darnell Cox will be by far dominant Vs any team this year. while having Nadim hawi who can replace Larry and Paul iskandar who can replace Garnett. With thiago !


Riyadi :
Riyadi took the decision of not having an american Center, assuming that Ali kanaan , joe Vogel and Billy fares can fill the gab.
They will have Ismail and Nate johnson ( unless they decided to replace nate by Darren Kelly ).
With jean, amir , omar , ali mahmoud and possibly Hussein Tawbe.
Riyadi are like always a great team, But VERY beatable.

Anibal :
One of the best teams this year , that IMO will be competing for the title and will be a high threat to both champville and riyadi.
With Rod, Charles and Roy ... Along with Mazen and possibly a 5th List A player ( Guard ).
Jay youngblood coming back to lebanon to prove that last year's was not a walk to remember ....
and having a very high level PF ( possibly a player who previously played in our league ).
PS : Aniba and Ira Clark were so close to agree on all terms, but the coach didn't like the fact that Ira is 36 yo !


Mouttahed : losing Hussein el khatib, Jad bitar and moe fahes ... Signing Samer meshref, bashir saad and marwan zyede.
on the papers they won more than they lost, with the arrival of Samer meshref , one of the best lebanese players last year.
IMO if they manage to sign an american center " good level " , they can compete... But if they will relay on hawshar on 5, its gona be a disaster !

as for Sagesse :
I preffer not to judge or talk now, but according to my sources and info, they will have a 600K Budget with rony sabah joe....
Aka, they wont compete !

[lebanese phoenix]

Starting with Champville:
Having Miguel, Moe and Karl on the PG position is way more than enough to handle this spot !
As for the Guard position, Elie Estephane , hussein el khatib with the addition of the 3 PGs who can @ any time play the SG position if needed.
The Small Forward position with Fadi el khatib , Abboudy el farkh and khalil aoun is highly impressive .

now for the most important factor, the PF and C Position, Garnett thompson and Darnell Cox will be by far dominant Vs any team this year. while having Nadim hawi who can replace Larry and Paul iskandar who can replace Garnett. With thiago !


Riyadi :
Riyadi took the decision of not having an american Center, assuming that Ali kanaan , joe Vogel and Billy fares can fill the gab.
They will have Ismail and Nate johnson ( unless they decided to replace nate by Darren Kelly ).
With jean, amir , omar , ali mahmoud and possibly Hussein Tawbe.
Riyadi are like always a great team, But VERY beatable.

Anibal :
One of the best teams this year , that IMO will be competing for the title and will be a high threat to both champville and riyadi.
With Rod, Charles and Roy ... Along with Mazen and possibly a 5th List A player ( Guard ).
Jay youngblood coming back to lebanon to prove that last year's was not a walk to remember ....
and having a very high level PF ( possibly a player who previously played in our league ).
PS : Aniba and Ira Clark were so close to agree on all terms, but the coach didn't like the fact that Ira is 36 yo !


Mouttahed : losing Hussein el khatib, Jad bitar and moe fahes ... Signing Samer meshref, bashir saad and marwan zyede.
on the papers they won more than they lost, with the arrival of Samer meshref , one of the best lebanese players last year.
IMO if they manage to sign an american center " good level " , they can compete... But if they will relay on hawshar on 5, its gona be a disaster !

as for Sagesse :
I preffer not to judge or talk now, but according to my sources and info, they will have a 600K Budget with rony sabah joe....
Aka, they wont compete !

what about bejjeh? i heard that makdessi might fund them,if that's so,wont they have a team similar to sagesse's team last year, a team that can compete in the final 4

[Le MaK]

what about bejjeh? i heard that makdessi might fund them,if that's so,wont they have a team similar to sagesse's team last year, a team that can compete in the final 4

Even If Talal is gona fund them with 700-800K ( i dont think he will anyway ), they wont be finding any players to sign !
With stephan signing in champville along with hussein and moe.
Rod Charles Roy and mazen in anibal !
they still can get Ghaleb , sabra, patrick , bitar , nadim ( by they i mean all other teams ).
so no i dont see bejje competing for a spot in the final 4!

[lebanese phoenix]

Even If Talal is gona fund them with 700-800K ( i dont think he will anyway ), they wont be finding any players to sign !
With stephan signing in champville along with hussein and moe.
Rod Charles Roy and mazen in anibal !
they still can get Ghaleb , sabra, patrick , bitar , nadim ( by they i mean all other teams ).
so no i dont see bejje competing for a spot in the final 4!

well with ghaleb,daniel faris and 2 super foreigners they can make some good results,and if makdessi can fix matt freije's papers...then bejjeh can be huge
although i hear that freije's papers are really very hard to fix.
You know i was in a way glad that Makdessi left sagesse, bcs sagesse can always gd sponsors unlike bejjeh, so we can have 2 competitive teams instead of one

[daniab]

Bijje: Small village has big hoop expectations
August 04, 2011 12:49 AM
By Dany Abboud
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Bejjeh, a beautiful village 8 kilometers away from Jbeil, isn’t the kind of town you would expect to see a basketball club within the top division of the Lebanese league.

Snatching the Division Two title last May, after beating Tebnine in the final series 2-0, Bejjeh will be rubbing shoulders Asian champions and seasoned internationals in Division One next season.

They have a collection of experienced players, led by local coach Tony Kara, such as Joe Mansour, David Derghyiyan, Hany Zakaria and Jason Kozah who have already made a name for themselves thanks to their contributions several years ago with teams such as Sagesse, Mouttahed Tripoli and Kahraba.

“It’s a dream come true” said Saad Saad, manager of the basketball team and member of the sports committee.

“Few people were expecting us to reach this level, we are now like idols to the young generation here in Jbeil.”

Saad admitted that the next phase is “a lot harder and more demanding, and the players will have to work harder to maintain the level we have got to the past season.”

“We know that the responsibility is growing on our shoulders,” Saad told The Daily Star.

Bejjeh was at the center of rumors circulating around the future of Sagesse, after local reports revealed that the then-president of the “Green Castle,” Lebanese businessman Talal Makdessi, was seriously considering a move to Jbeil.

Makdessi told The Daily Star at a news conference that “I will surely be at Bejjeh next season and all the players who are not able to stay at Sagesse will move to Bejjeh.”

However, Saad revealed that three players from Sagesse are officially now with Bejjeh, – Tom Ammar and Ali Barada who were on loan to local rivals Byblos last season, and Charbel Sokhn. In addition, the management decided to keep Derghyiyan and Zakaria from the old team and release Joe Mansour and Jason Kozah who will represent Amchit club, a new representative for Jbeil in Division Two.

He also mentioned that they are in negotiations with two high level players on the Elite Players List. Close sources revealed to The Daily Star that these two players are Nadim Souaid and Daniel Faris.

“The club hasn’t yet decided on the head coach for the coming season but we are considering two names, one of them is an international coach,” Saad explained. Bejjeh will be working with a budget that is believed to be between $550,000 and $600,000.

Lebanese fans have always enjoyed the Beirut rivalry between Sagesse and Riyadi, and a new rivalry appeared last year in Zahle between Anibal and Haouch al-Oumara. This season will see the beginning of a another rivalry in Jbeil, between Byblos and Bejjeh.

Saad indicated that “this [rivalry] is really exciting for the people of Jbeil, we and Byblos are brothers, but it’s going to be fun to watch.”

[mdunya]

Any news about Lebanese players abroad going to join our league this year???

I know William Pharis is going to be with Riyadeh, what about Daniel, Joey Akawi, Phillipe Tabet....

[samer_1_2]

[QUOTE=Le MaK;610274]Starting with Champville:
Having Miguel, Moe and Karl on the PG position is way more than enough to handle this spot !
As for the Guard position, Elie Estephane , hussein el khatib with the addition of the 3 PGs who can @ any time play the SG position if needed.
The Small Forward position with Fadi el khatib , Abboudy el farkh and khalil aoun is highly impressive .

now for the most important factor, the PF and C Position, Garnett thompson and Darnell Cox will be by far dominant Vs any team this year. while having Nadim hawi who can replace Larry and Paul iskandar who can replace Garnett. With thiago !

Dude.. 3 PGs are more than enough.. But they won't be that dangerous ..

Having many centers is useless.. I see champville will be dominating under the basket this year.
I think Ghassan sarkis will try the players all together with estephand /fadi/... he will replace larry I assume before final 4 by a foreigner PF or PG

I see they have lack of bench on PF shooting one


Riyadi :
Riyadi took the decision of not having an american Center, assuming that Ali kanaan , joe Vogel and Billy fares can fill the gap.
They will have Ismail and Nate johnson ( unless they decided to replace nate by Darren Kelly ).
With jean, amir , omar , ali mahmoud and possibly Hussein Tawbe.
Riyadi are like always a great team, But VERY beatable.

Riyadi this year will face a problem with team having big centers especially in Asia and Arab.. I assume Vogel can play 20mn max good in every match ..Ali Kenaan and ismael are real good enough for Lebanon..

no real good shooting on PG .. Hussein tawbe is not a big add.. they need someone like Corey or Darren Kelly.. it will be a very good team

Anibal :
One of the best teams this year , that IMO will be competing for the title and will be a high threat to both champville and riyadi.
With Rod, Charles and Roy ... Along with Mazen and possibly a 5th List A player ( Guard ).
Jay youngblood coming back to lebanon to prove that last year's was not a walk to remember ....
and having a very high level PF ( possibly a player who previously played in our league ).
PS : Anibal and Ira Clark were so close to agree on all terms, but the coach didn't like the fact that Ira is 36 yo !

Anibal just needs two good foreigners one under the basket big guy and one SF or PF.. I am sure Anibal will compete .. But sure they don't have good bench

Mouttahed : losing Hussein el khatib, Jad bitar and moe fahes ... Signing Samer meshref, bashir saad and marwan zyede.
on the papers they won more than they lost, with the arrival of Samer meshref , one of the best lebanese players last year.
IMO if they manage to sign an american center " good level " , they can compete... But if they will relay on hawshar on 5, its gona be a disaster !

Moutahed will be having the same level as last year !!

as for Sagesse :
They wont compete and I think they won't reach the final 4


Other teams are like completing numbers.. unless !!!

Strange some arab players like the tunisian center bin sleyman and the big center from morocca are having high quality play.. why no one talk about them ... instead of running behind Loren woods and players demanding high salaries

[gazara]

Latest News:

Riyadi Beirut:

Riyadi Beirut Considering Signing Hassan Lakkis (195-SG/SF) and Hussein Tawbe (199-PF) and Maybe Ghaleb Rida (192-SG)
As On the Foreigners Side , Ismail Ahmad (205-PF)(EGY) is their First Foreigner and they are considering To Sign Soon Darren Kelly (196-PG)(USA) as A Second Foreigner ,if they Didn t Sign Darren ,Nate Johnson (199-SF)(USA) Will be the 2nd Foreigner

About the Other Players ,they Have For Now :

-Ali Mahmoud (180-PG)
-Omar Turk (188-SG)
-Jean Abdel Nour (199-SF)
-Joseph Vogel (211-C)
-Amir Saoud (188-SG)
-Ali Kanaan (206-C)
-Billy Faris (206-PF)

Ali Fakhreddine(204-PF/C) is out of the Team and maybe will sign in Hoops or Other Team !!


Champville Maristes:

Champville Just Signed Elie Stephan(192-SG) Ex-Sagesse Player ,and they Signed Also Hsein El Khatib (190-SG) EX-Muttahed Player and Also Paul Iskandar (205-C) A youngster ,plus Mohammad Ibrahim (195-PG) NT player and EX-Riyadi Player and now they Are Trying Thiago Makhlouf (211-C) A lebanese-Brazilian Abroad ,if he was a good plus for the Team ,Ghassan Sarkis will sign Him
in other Way ,Champville Signed Garnett Thompson (207-PF)(USA) as a First Foreigner and Larry Darnell Cox (211-C)(USA) as a Second Foreigner
Mazen Mneimneh (192-SG) Left the Team and Signed for Anibal Zahle !
Also Patrick Bou Abboud (201-PF) Is out of the Team
Yehia Sabra (199-SF/PF) Also Realised

Champville Roster till now :

-Miguel Martinez (188-PG)
-Mohammad Ibrahim (195-PG)
-Karl Sarkis (180-PG)
-Karam Mechref (188-SG)
-Fadi El Khatib (199-SF)
-Elie Stephan (192-SG)
-Hsein El Khatib (190-SG)
-Nadim Hawi (205-C)
-Garnett Thompson (207-PF)(FOR)
-Larry Cox (211-C)(FOR)
-Khalil Aoun (197-SF)
-Hassan Dandash (188-PG/SG)

Sagesse Beirut:

Toni Vujanic (SRB) is the New Head Coach

Rony fahed (184-PG) Out Of the Team !
Elie Stephan (192-SG) To Champville !
Ghaleb Rida (192-SG) Maybe Sagesse Maybe Anibal Maybe Riyadi !!
Hussein Tawbe (199-PF) To Riyadi !

Matt Freijie (208-PF)(LIB-USA) Very Close To Sign with Sagesse !
Julian Kazzouh (209-C)(LIB-AUS) in Negociation with Sagesse !
Joey Akkawi (172-PG) Signed For Sagesse
Daniel Faris (206-C) A Sagesse Player
Joe Ghattas (185-SG) A Sagesse Player
Sabah Khoury (196-SF) Renewd in Sagesse
Marc Sailerz (206-SF/PF)(USA) is Sagesse first Foreigner
Kimani Friend (211-C)(JAM) in Negociations with Sagesse
Mohammad Fahes (198-SF) Very Close to Sign in Sagesse
Jad Bitar (204-C) Very Close To Sign in Sagesse
Nadim Soueid (194-SG) in Negociations with Sagesse

Anibal Zahle:

Rodrigue Akl (188-PG) Renewd his Contract
Charles Tabet (206-C) Renewd his Contract
Roy Samaha (206-C) Renewd his Contract
Mazen Mneimneh (192-SG) Very Close to Sign with Anibal
Ghaleb Rida (192-SG) In Negociations with Anibal
Jihad El Murr (195-SF/SG) Anibal Player Renewd his Contract
Jay Youngblood (195-SF) In Negociations With Anibal Zahle
Terrence Shannon (202-PF) In Negociations with Anibal Zahle

Mouttahed Tripoli:

Paul Caughter (USA) Renewd his Contract in Muttahed
Elias Restom (197-SF) A Muttahed Player
Mohammad Fahes (198-SF) ,Jad Bitar (204-C) To Sagesse Maybe !

[leb-basket]

[QUOTE=samer_1_2;610984]

Starting with Champville:
Having Miguel, Moe and Karl on the PG position is way more than enough to handle this spot !
As for the Guard position, Elie Estephane , hussein el khatib with the addition of the 3 PGs who can @ any time play the SG position if needed.
The Small Forward position with Fadi el khatib , Abboudy el farkh and khalil aoun is highly impressive .

now for the most important factor, the PF and C Position, Garnett thompson and Darnell Cox will be by far dominant Vs any team this year. while having Nadim hawi who can replace Larry and Paul iskandar who can replace Garnett. With thiago !

Dude.. 3 PGs are more than enough.. But they won't be that dangerous ..

Having many centers is useless.. I see champville will be dominating under the basket this year.
I think Ghassan sarkis will try the players all together with estephand /fadi/... he will replace larry I assume before final 4 by a foreigner PF or PG

I see they have lack of bench on PF shooting one


Riyadi :
Riyadi took the decision of not having an american Center, assuming that Ali kanaan , joe Vogel and Billy fares can fill the gap.
They will have Ismail and Nate johnson ( unless they decided to replace nate by Darren Kelly ).
With jean, amir , omar , ali mahmoud and possibly Hussein Tawbe.
Riyadi are like always a great team, But VERY beatable.

Riyadi this year will face a problem with team having big centers especially in Asia and Arab.. I assume Vogel can play 20mn max good in every match ..Ali Kenaan and ismael are real good enough for Lebanon..

no real good shooting on PG .. Hussein tawbe is not a big add.. they need someone like Corey or Darren Kelly.. it will be a very good team

Anibal :
One of the best teams this year , that IMO will be competing for the title and will be a high threat to both champville and riyadi.
With Rod, Charles and Roy ... Along with Mazen and possibly a 5th List A player ( Guard ).
Jay youngblood coming back to lebanon to prove that last year's was not a walk to remember ....
and having a very high level PF ( possibly a player who previously played in our league ).
PS : Anibal and Ira Clark were so close to agree on all terms, but the coach didn't like the fact that Ira is 36 yo !

Anibal just needs two good foreigners one under the basket big guy and one SF or PF.. I am sure Anibal will compete .. But sure they don't have good bench

Mouttahed : losing Hussein el khatib, Jad bitar and moe fahes ... Signing Samer meshref, bashir saad and marwan zyede.
on the papers they won more than they lost, with the arrival of Samer meshref , one of the best lebanese players last year.
IMO if they manage to sign an american center " good level " , they can compete... But if they will relay on hawshar on 5, its gona be a disaster !

Moutahed will be having the same level as last year !!

as for Sagesse :
They wont compete and I think they won't reach the final 4


Other teams are like completing numbers.. unless !!!

Strange some arab players like the tunisian center bin sleyman and the big center from morocca are having high quality play.. why no one talk about them ... instead of running behind Loren woods and players demanding high salaries

radwan ben suleiman wanted to play in lebanon and was having try outs but he was asking for a big amount that everyone thought he doesn't deserve.

[micho]

Latest News:

Riyadi Beirut:

Riyadi Beirut Considering Signing Hassan Lakkis (195-SG/SF) and Hussein Tawbe (199-PF) and Maybe Ghaleb Rida (192-SG)
As On the Foreigners Side , Ismail Ahmad (205-PF)(EGY) is their First Foreigner and they are considering To Sign Soon Darren Kelly (196-PG)(USA) as A Second Foreigner ,if they Didn t Sign Darren ,Nate Johnson (199-SF)(USA) Will be the 2nd Foreigner

About the Other Players ,they Have For Now :

-Ali Mahmoud (180-PG)
-Omar Turk (188-SG)
-Jean Abdel Nour (199-SF)
-Joseph Vogel (211-C)
-Amir Saoud (188-SG)
-Ali Kanaan (206-C)
-Billy Faris (206-PF)

Ali Fakhreddine(204-PF/C) is out of the Team and maybe will sign in Hoops or Other Team !!


Champville Maristes:

Champville Just Signed Elie Stephan(192-SG) Ex-Sagesse Player ,and they Signed Also Hsein El Khatib (190-SG) EX-Muttahed Player and Also Paul Iskandar (205-C) A youngster ,plus Mohammad Ibrahim (195-PG) NT player and EX-Riyadi Player and now they Are Trying Thiago Makhlouf (211-C) A lebanese-Brazilian Abroad ,if he was a good plus for the Team ,Ghassan Sarkis will sign Him
in other Way ,Champville Signed Garnett Thompson (207-PF)(USA) as a First Foreigner and Larry Darnell Cox (211-C)(USA) as a Second Foreigner
Mazen Mneimneh (192-SG) Left the Team and Signed for Anibal Zahle !
Also Patrick Bou Abboud (201-PF) Is out of the Team
Yehia Sabra (199-SF/PF) Also Realised

Champville Roster till now :

-Miguel Martinez (188-PG)
-Mohammad Ibrahim (195-PG)
-Karl Sarkis (180-PG)
-Karam Mechref (188-SG)
-Fadi El Khatib (199-SF)
-Elie Stephan (192-SG)
-Hsein El Khatib (190-SG)
-Nadim Hawi (205-C)
-Garnett Thompson (207-PF)(FOR)
-Larry Cox (211-C)(FOR)
-Khalil Aoun (197-SF)
-Hassan Dandash (188-PG/SG)

Sagesse Beirut:

Toni Vujanic (SRB) is the New Head Coach

Rony fahed (184-PG) Out Of the Team !
Elie Stephan (192-SG) To Champville !
Ghaleb Rida (192-SG) Maybe Sagesse Maybe Anibal Maybe Riyadi !!
Hussein Tawbe (199-PF) To Riyadi !

Matt Freijie (208-PF)(LIB-USA) Very Close To Sign with Sagesse !
Julian Kazzouh (209-C)(LIB-AUS) in Negociation with Sagesse !
Joey Akkawi (172-PG) Signed For Sagesse
Daniel Faris (206-C) A Sagesse Player
Joe Ghattas (185-SG) A Sagesse Player
Sabah Khoury (196-SF) Renewd in Sagesse
Marc Sailerz (206-SF/PF)(USA) is Sagesse first Foreigner
Kimani Friend (211-C)(JAM) in Negociations with Sagesse
Mohammad Fahes (198-SF) Very Close to Sign in Sagesse
Jad Bitar (204-C) Very Close To Sign in Sagesse
Nadim Soueid (194-SG) in Negociations with Sagesse

Anibal Zahle:

Rodrigue Akl (188-PG) Renewd his Contract
Charles Tabet (206-C) Renewd his Contract
Roy Samaha (206-C) Renewd his Contract
Mazen Mneimneh (192-SG) Very Close to Sign with Anibal
Ghaleb Rida (192-SG) In Negociations with Anibal
Jihad El Murr (195-SF/SG) Anibal Player Renewd his Contract
Jay Youngblood (195-SF) In Negociations With Anibal Zahle
Terrence Shannon (202-PF) In Negociations with Anibal Zahle

Mouttahed Tripoli:

Paul Caughter (USA) Renewd his Contract in Muttahed
Elias Restom (197-SF) A Muttahed Player
Mohammad Fahes (198-SF) ,Jad Bitar (204-C) To Sagesse Maybe !

sagesse are in negociations with julian kazzouh ???? or rumors ?????

[leb-basket]

sagesse are in negociations with julian kazzouh ???? or rumors ?????

they are in negotiations with him. Coach vujanic wants him. The only problem remains with julian's salary and passport (of course that is if he accepted to join sagesse). He has the lebanese ID but he previously played in israel which forbids him to enter the lebanese territories. Though he played in israel with his australian passport so he just needs to fix his aussi passport.

[micho]

they are in negotiations with him. Coach vujanic wants him. The only problem remains with julian's salary and passport (of course that is if he accepted to join sagesse). He has the lebanese ID but he previously played in israel which forbids him to enter the lebanese territories. Though he played in israel with his australian passport so he just needs to fix his aussi passport.

i think the passport issue is not a problem... but i yhink the duo matt kazzouh will be a turning point this year ... there are some news sayin that brian bechara is in lebanon and trainin in sagesse club

[leb-basket]

i think the passport issue is not a problem... but i yhink the duo matt kazzouh will be a turning point this year ... there are some news sayin that brian bechara is in lebanon and trainin in sagesse club

i heard a lot of news concerning brina but as far as i know he aint gonna play. U better ask someone from sagesse admins.
In my humble opinion, having daniel freije salyers and khazzouh together would be a big mistake. All of them are starters and stars ....

1 joey
2 sabah
3 freije
4 faris
5 khazzouh

what about salyers ?? now faris can't join before mid january which would give a chance for salyers to play on pos 4.(though i think he is a sf)

i prefer having a foreign pg/sg a scorer and leader such as daren kelly. In case things worked well with khazzouh we should keep salyers else i prefer having a foreign center.

[micho]

i heard a lot of news concerning brina but as far as i know he aint gonna play. U better ask someone from sagesse admins.
In my humble opinion, having daniel freije salyers and khazzouh together would be a big mistake. All of them are starters and stars ....

1 joey
2 sabah
3 freije
4 faris
5 khazzouh

what about salyers ?? now faris can't join before mid january which would give a chance for salyers to play on pos 4.(though i think he is a sf)

i prefer having a foreign pg/sg a scorer and leader such as daren kelly. In case things worked well with khazzouh we should keep salyers else i prefer having a foreign center.

am sure that there are real negociations with lebanese abroad centers..cause mark salyers is a pure 4 and can t fill the 5 ... so i think they will bring a lebanese center for sure...it will be khazzouh hopefully..and the will bring i think point guard foreigner along with joey ..and it will be good...

[Le MaK]

am sure that there are real negociations with lebanese abroad centers..cause mark salyers is a pure 4 and can t fill the 5 ... so i think they will bring a lebanese center for sure...it will be khazzouh hopefully..and the will bring i think point guard foreigner along with joey ..and it will be good...

It's 100% true that Sagesse are negotiating Julian Khazzouh, But facts are that, Julian already re-newed with his former team in australia.
That means if Sagesse Decided to really have him for next year, they will have to pay the release.
The passport thing is not a problem @ all, Sagesse are really good in finding Passports and IDs.
The main problem remains as follow : If Julian Decides to play in beirut, He MIGHT lose to ability of playing for the Australian NT, since he wont be followed as it should be.

On the other hand Coach Vujanic is still negotiating Centers till this moment.
Sadly for him, Corsley Edwards Signed in Poland , 48 hours after he started negotiating with sagesse.
so he decided to move with Kimany Ffriend, who received a huge offer yesterday from a SerieA Team.

As we know, Moe Fahes and Jad bitar are on their way to sign for the green castle in the next few days if not hours.
Ghaleb Reda's possibility of staying in sagesse i extremly low right now, and he might be signing in Anibal TONIGHT. while sagesse will end up signing nadim souaid.

So If sagesse turn to sign an american center , we would expect such line up : Joey Sabah Matt Salyers CENTER !
and if they sign an american PG : PG Sabah Matt Salyers Daniel ( or they can release salyers and sign a center ) : PG Sabah Matt Daniel Center .

in all three line ups i just listed, The team lack the deffensive Look BADLY!
From the way i see, losing Ghaleb is a K.O for sagesse, UNLESS they can end up signing Julian.
In that way , we can see an American PG with Sabah matt Salyers Julian ( very good defensive player ) while Daniel is a very limited defensive one.



All in All, Sagesse are working hard, spending too much money and trying to build the best possible team .

good luck

[wilo22]

Ghaleb Reda is so close to renew his contract with Sagesse
Jihad el Murr will also renew his contract with Anibal