Lebanon are ready for Asian Qualifiers with Arakji, Haidar and Pelle leading the way
BEIRUT (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Lebanon's top players will be in full force for their national team as they tip their campaign off at the Asian Qualifiers later this month.
BEIRUT (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Lebanon's top players will be in full force for their national team as they tip their campaign off at the Asian Qualifiers later this month.
With the exception of the retired Fadi El Khatib, all of the players who carried the Cedars' flag in Beirut earlier this year at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 will be around during the Asian Qualifiers.
| Lebanon 22-man national pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers | |||
| Jean Abd El Nour | Joseph Abi Zakhour El Chartouny | Joseph Aby Kheres | Rodrigue Akl |
| Wael Arakji | Bassel Bawji | Omar El Ayoubi | Ali Fakhreddine |
| Ali Haidar | Ahmad Ibrahim | Ali Kanaan | Jad Khalil |
| Ater Majok | Ali Mezher | Norvel Pelle | Amir Saoud |
| Nadim Souaid | Elie Stephan | Charles Tabet | Elie Rustom |
| Jay Youngblood | Elie Chamoun | ||
Expected to lead the way are their terrific triumvirate composed of prolific scorer Wael Arakji, top big man Ali Haidar and naturalized player Norvel Pelle. Arakji was their second-best scorer during the Asia Cup, tossing in 16.4 points per game, while the 2.01m Haidar was rock-solid in the frontline with 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. For his part, Pelle impressed with his defense. The 2.11m center born in Antigua and Barbuda led the entire competition with 4.0 blocks per contest.
Aside from them, other Lebanese stars expected to contribute heavily are shooter Amir Saoud, veteran Jean Abd El Nour, slotman Bassel Bawji and their second naturalized player After Majok. Coaching Lebanon will be Ramunas Butautas.
Lebanon are in Group C with India, Jordan and Syria. They host India on 23 November at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex before visiting Amman and playing Jordan at the Prince Hamza Arena on 26 November.
FIBA