ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Cleanthony Early had no idea how significant the Indian Railways' first win of the FIBA West Asia League (WASL) Final 8 2026 was on Monday night, which came at the expense of Ittihad Club.
But once he learned everything about it, the former NBA pro was all smiles, beaming with so much pride to have helped author history - not just for the esteemed ball club, but for South Asian basketball as well.
"I didn't know that. So ... to help them get their first win, it's something that I take pride in. It's a really good feeling," he said moments after their 93-85 stunner of the Tigers at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex.
Four editions of the pan-regional competition's culminating event have been held since its inception in 2023 and the SABA region has been represented twice now, the first being in 2024 in Doha, Qatar via Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu did represent the South Asian club scene well by giving their West Asian counterparts a run for their money, engaging in tight contests with teams such as Shahrdari Gorgan of Iran and Kuwait's Kazma.
However, they ended their campaign empty-handed with a 0-3 record, giving the Railways added pressure to showcase that SABA squads have what it takes to not only compete in WASL but to win as well.
The skid actually got prolonged when they stumbled against Al Riyadi on Opening Night. Despite losing by a big margin, 104-81, the crew showed positives, particularly their strong start against the 'three-peat' seekers.
If anything, it offered a glimmer of hope that the long wait for a breakthrough would end soon, and it sure did about 48 hours later when they took down no less than the 2024-25 WASL-Gulf League runners-up.
...for me to come here and win with a team that is trying to get their first win, it's an amazing feeling.
And helping make it possible was Early, who led the Railways with a game-high 26 points - highlighted by a 4-of-9 clip from beyond the arc - alongside 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in only 21 minutes of action.
He already produced 21 in just the first half, presiding over their solid start into the game as his experience competing in a stage as grand as WASL is, without a doubt, helping him and his team a great deal.
"I think my experience just as a basketball player, as a pro knowing I'm 35 now, is definitely helping - just to slow the game down and communicate with my teammates and just try to play hard to win," he said.
For those unfamiliar, Early played for Sagesse SC during the 2023-24 WASL season. He came in at the latter part of their WASL-West Asia campaign and remained a vital cog of their Final 8 run in the Qatari capital.
Yes, he was part of the squad that went all the way to the championship bout before bowing to Wael Arakji and Riyadi in overtime, 100-90, in a bout that surely deserves its very own chapter in WASL's young history.
Fast forward to the present and the Bronx-native has a chance to chase the one thing that eluded him two years ago. But for now, he's savoring every moment with the Railways - all while serving a bigger purpose.
"I have played in WASL before. I've definitely won, and I've lost. So, for me to come here and win with a team that is trying to get their first win, it's an amazing feeling," offered the former New York Knick.
"I feel very special about it. I didn't know, like I said, so it's even more of a shock to me. I'm happy about it. Let's try to get no. 2. It's a good feeling," Early ended.
FIBA