BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017) - Coach Ahmad El Farran has assembled a good mix of old reliables and new faces to lead Al Riyadi's campaign at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017.

There are four holdovers from the squad that finished runners-up to China Kashgar last year: Jean Abd El Nour, Amir Saoud, Ali Haidar and Wael Arakji. All four of those players also saw action for Lebanon at the recent FIBA Asia Cup 2017. If healthy, Arakji could be this team's top playmaker, while Haidar is as solid a they come in the paint. Abd El Nour will provide veteran leadership, while Saoud's shooting will be crucial in keeping opposing defenses honest.

Arakji averaged 16.4 PPG & 4.7 APG in 2016

Al Riyadi will be bringing in two completely new imports to bolster their chances at Chenzhou, China. They have ditched Dewarwick Spencer and Alade Aminu for 2.10m big man Chris Daniels and newly naturalized Lebanese guard Quincy Douby. Daniels led Al Riyadi to the LBL 2016 title, averaging around 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Douby has bounced around all over the globe. He last saw action for Turkish side Afyonkarahisar Belediye, where he put up 17 points per contest and hit 42% of his threes.

Veteran center Charles Tabet will also debut at the Champions Cup this year, and he is projected to be the primary backup to Daniels at the middle. Another veteran, Ali Mahmoud, returns to the fold after being one of the final cuts in last year's Al Riyadi final lineup. The 34-year-old floor general may not be as fleet of foot as he once was, but his savvy and smart play balances out the flamboyant style of Arakji at the guard position.

Ali Mahmoud is back in the fold for the Champions of Lebanon

It will be truly interesting to see how this mixed bag of newbies and oldies will fare as Al Riyadi goes on their mission of redemption at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017.

FIBA