ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Carrying a surname with so much importance in Lebanese basketball won't ever be easy, but Jihad El Khatib would want to prove otherwise now that he's carving out his own path.
The 20-year-old forward has even taken jersey number 15 for himself upon joining the Lebanese men's team - the very number his father, the great Fadi El Khatib, famously wore during his time with the Tall Cedars.
So, he found no better way to honor his dad than putting on a show on Friday night, helping the Cedars open their Window 2 campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers with a rout of Saudi Arabia.
I chose to play for the Lebanese national team two years ago, so I can put my name up in this country and lift up all the people in Lebanon as much as I can for the future.
After hardly seeing action in the first window, the youngster was fielded as a starter and went on to provide instant offense, scoring 10 to spark their surge toward a 27-16 lead to end the first, setting up the one-sided show.
"It's amazing," reflected El Khatib shortly after their 94-64 bounce-back win, in which he finished with 12 points.
"Especially wearing number 15 again, bringing the number back on the court, it's an amazing feeling."
It was actually a night of nostalgia as well for the promising talent and the entire family. This was his first time seeing action on the court at home as part of the senior team, and at a venue which he holds dear to his heart.
He and Lebanon hosted the Saudis at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex, the very same place where Fadi played his final game with the national squad, which was during the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.
The Asian hoops icon's last ever outing in a Cedars uniform was an eventual 79-78 defeat at the hands of China in the 5-6 Classification Game. There, he led his side with a game-high 30 points alongside 8 rebounds.
Still, it turned into a celebration afterward, with Fadi sharing a moment with his sons, and with his teammates.
About nine years later and Jihad gladly made his own moment in the historic stadium, submitting a solid showing that could very well be his coming-out party, offering as well a glimpse, perhaps, of Lebanon's future.
"It's always a special night for the family, retiring at the same gym and me playing again here," he reflected, smiling. "It's an amazing feeling."
"I can't wait for my dad to come back and watch me play on this court."
As commendable as his performance was, the University of New Orleans product would rather choose to stay on an even keel, saying that there remains more work to be done especially in proving himself.
"It's a big opportunity, and it's a lot of pressure at the same time. At a young age for me to step in and do this type of performance... this is nothing yet," said El Khatib, who also had 5 rebounds and 2 steals in the win.
But he isn't being afraid; he is, in fact, relishing all the opportunities and is looking forward to what comes his way, for he's now living in a reality he only dreamt of when he was still an aspirant.
"That's been my dream since I was young. I chose to play for the Lebanese national team two years ago, so I can put my name up in this country and lift up all the people in Lebanon as much as I can for the future," he said.
"Inshallah, we're gonna keep going," El Khatib added.
FIBA