DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Shabab Al Ahli have well proven that their runner-up finish in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) inaugurals was no fluke with how their 2024-25 season has gone.
But there should be no greater feeling for this esteemed organization than winning it all in FIBA's flagship event for club competition in this continent, now that they have another opportunity to accomplish as much.
Qualifying path
The UAE League Basketball powerhouse will be competing in the upcoming BCL Asia 2025 by virtue of hosts, marking the second time in a row that the prestigious tournament will be held in the 'City of Gold.'
But they will be coming back with much more bravado given the strides they've made this season, highlighted by a championship run in the Gulf League of the recently concluded FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).
Shabab Al Ahli have never gotten past the Semi-Finals of the Sub-Zone League in the last two seasons, that's why it couldn't get any sweeter for the crew to take home the title in their maiden Final appearance.
It's worth noting, too, that they had also achieved success in the WASL Final 8 in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon after qualifying for the Semi-Finals for the first time ever, ultimately finishing fourth in the tilt ruled by Al Riyadi.
BCL Asia history
Needless to say, they want to sustain their success in this year's BCL Asia, with the goal, of course, to claim the throne after falling short of doing so last year no thanks to the mighty Yellow Castle.
Shabab Al Ahli made a spirited run to the championship round back in the 2024 tourney, first by winning twice in their three games in the Group Phase before stunning Shahrdary Gorgan in the Semi-Finals.
Their Cinderella run, however, ended at the hands of Riyadi in the Big Dance. Still, it was a run to remember, giving the team renewed confidence in the season that followed - as evidenced by the 'firsts' they had written.
Players to watch
Among those on the forefront of their victories was Deshawndre Washington, who was one of the Final 8's leading scorers with 24.8 points per game - tied at the no. 1 spot of the scoring list with Wael Arakji.
But it wasn't all about collecting buckets for the lanky wing as he also collected 7.8 rebounds and 6..0 assists per outing in yet another solid display of his all-around brilliance for the team of Coach Miodrag Perisic.
Make no mistake about thinking that Shabab Al Ahli are a one-man show. There are other weapons which teams should watch out for, led of course by their long-time star big man Qais Alshabebi.
Among the Final 8''s top 10 scorers, the club lifer normed 16.8 PPG, alongside 7.8 RPG and 1.8 steals per game to once again lead by example - that, after playing a major role in their WASL-Gulf League title run.
Not to be forgotten are the other key cogs such as rising star Hamed Lateef and Talal Alnuaimi, plus two other reliable cogs in Chris Crawford and Jamelle Hagins - both of which helped up the ante of the squad this season.
FIBA