BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Sagesse SC enter the FIBA WASL Final 8 with a chip on their shoulder and a legacy to defend.
The iconic Lebanese club, a three-time Asian champion and longtime rival of Al Riyadi, are driven by a season full of near-misses, close games, and frustrating finishes - including a sweep in the Beirut Derby. But with a potent backcourt led by Zach Lofton and Shabazz Muhammad, and a deep cast of locals who’ve shown grit all season, the Green Castle will aim to turn heartbreak into redemption as they chase the WASL title that slipped away last year.
Qualifying path
Sagesse's journey to the FIBA WASL Final 8 has been one of resilience and recalibration.
After opening the 2024/25 West Asia League season with a heartbreaking 88-87 loss to Tabiat, they bounced back with a narrow win over Al Difaa Al Jawi. Though they suffered two tough losses to rivals Al Riyadi, the Green Castle rallied behind a career-best stretch from star guard Zach Lofton to beat Amman United and clinch their Final 8 berth with a 3-5 record.
It was far from a smooth road, but their clutch wins in key moments, particularly Lofton's 34-point, 10-assist performance against Amman, were enough to carry them across the line.
WASL history
One of Lebanon’s most storied clubs, Sagesse were runners-up in the 2023/24 FIBA WASL Final 8, falling short against arch-rivals Al Riyadi in the championship game. That loss capped off a frustrating season in which they were also swept by Riyadi in the Lebanese League Finals.
Yet despite coming up short, Sagesse proved they were among West Asia's elite, dispatching strong competition in the lead-up to the final, and confirming their resurgence as a powerhouse on the continental stage. Their proud tradition includes three FIBA Asia Champions Cup titles, but a WASL crown has thus far eluded them.
Key players
Zach Lofton has been the beating heart of Sagesse’s offense, lighting up scoreboards throughout the WASL campaign to average 20.3 points, and 6.5 assists per game. He dropped 40 points against Al Riyadi in a losing effort, and followed that with 34 points and 10 assists against Amman United. His ability to take over games single-handedly gives Sagesse an X-factor few other teams can match.
Complementing him is Shabazz Muhammad, another high-level scorer who poured in 26 points in the regular-season finale versus Al Difaa and brings playoff experience from previous WASL seasons.
Local talents have also stepped up. Omar Jamaleddine has been a steady two-way contributor, averaging 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Veteran forward Gerard Hadidian (7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds per game) has brought leadership and toughness, and playmaker Jad Khalil (5.7 points, 3.3 assists per game) has given them valuable minutes at point guard. Anchoring the interior is Ater Majok (9.5 points, 9.0 rebounds), the seasoned center who provides rim protection and experience.
Head coach Ilias Zouros has navigated adversity all season, from injuries to inconsistent performances, but has consistently rallied his group around defense, ball movement, and pride in the jersey. Sagesse enter the Final 8 tested by fire, but also galvanized by the belief that their story is far from finished.
FIBA