BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Sagesse SC will look to continue their streak of podium finishes as the Lebanese powerhouse is bound for the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8 for the third consecutive time.
But this time, they want the biggest prize.
Tournament history
The Green Castle have been competing in the pan-regional competition since the 2023-24 season and have made it all the way to the Final 8 in their two appearances thus far, taking home medals on both occasions.
Its maiden campaign saw the team come so close to winning the gold - Sagesse were literally seconds away from writing themselves in league annals until Wael Arakji strapped Al Riyadi on his back and forced overtime.
Sagesse lost, 100-90, as their domestic rivals went on to start their reign of dominance in WASL.
They tried to return to the Final when they booked another trip to the Final 8 in the 2024-25 season, but the climb back proved too tough. They bowed to eventual runners-up Tabiat Basketball in the Semi-Finals, 79-73.
Still, they made sure to end their run on a high, venting all their frustrations to the 2025 WASL-Gulf League champions Shabab Al Ahli, 100-86, in the Third-Place Game to secure a bronze-medal finish.
Sub-Zone League run
For sure, they would want to cop another medal in the fast-approaching Final 8, a stage they got into after clinching a Top 4 finish in the 5-team 2025-26 WASL-West Asia League Group Phase with a 3-4 record.
Yes, they ended with a card below .500 but Sagesse picked up crucial victories. They went 3-1 to conclude the preliminaries, highlighted by successive wins against Al Wahda SC and Al Riyadi, in that order.
That stunner of the Yellow Castle should taste so sweet, as it was their first in WASL against them since scoring a 109-106 decision in Game 2 of their best-of-3 Semi-Finals in the Sub-Zone League back in April 3, 2024.
Sagesse then repeated against Al Wahda to tally win no. 3 and would've wanted to earn some payback versus Shahrdari Gorgan, but the familiar foes weren't able to hold the rematch due to the situation in the region.
The good thing is, they're both in Group B of the 2026 Final 8.
Players to watch
Youssef Khayat is once again set to be at front and center of this team's campaign although the club signed up valuable editions to the roster, from local stars to tried and tested foreign reinforcements.
Ali Mezher, for one, is set for his WASL debut - and Lebanon homecoming - after coming off his first-ever overseas stint in Japan that saw him suit up for the Akita Northern Happinets of the B.League last season.
Joining the local crew that also has Karim Ezzedine and Aziz Abdelmasih, to name some, is a quartet of imports led by Jamal Jones and Mike Watkins, both of whom have played in the WASL-Gulf League this season.
Then there are also guys such as AJ English and Zid Powell, as the 2-time WASL-West Asia League bronze winners brought in reinforcements armed with extensive experience in their attempt to break through.
FIBA