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Lebanese Basketball League
Top-tier professional men's basketball league in Lebanon
Top-tier professional men's basketball league in Lebanon
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Lebanese Basketball League |
| organiser | Lebanese Basketball Federation (LFB) |
| founded | 1951 |
| 1992 (Current format) | |
| first | 1951–52 |
| country | Lebanon |
| confed | FIBA Asia (Asia) |
| teams | 12 |
| relegation | Division 2 |
| levels | 1 |
| domest_cup | Lebanese Cup |
| confed_cup | Basketball Champions League Asia |
| FIBA West Asia Super League | |
| Arab Club Basketball Championship | |
| champions | Al Riyadi (38th title) |
| season | 2024–25 |
| most_champs | Al Riyadi (38 titles) |
| tv | MTV (Lebanon) |
| website | |
| current | 2025–26 Lebanese Basketball League |
1992 (Current format) FIBA West Asia Super League Arab Club Basketball Championship | American/Canadian = The Lebanese Basketball League, officially Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League for sponsorship reasons, is recognized as the top-tier professional men's basketball league in Lebanon. It is organized annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation (FLB).
Currently, the league consists of 12 teams, of which six are located in Beirut. The most successful club in the history of the league is Al Riyadi Club Beirut.
History
The initial Lebanese basketball league was formed in as early as the 1950s; however, it was stopped during the Lebanese Civil War. In 1992, the league was reformed into its current fully professional format.
In 1998, Sporting Club (Al Riyadi) finished third in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, that same year Beirut hosted the Arab Club Championship where Sagesse won, it was the first ever Arab basketball trophy for Lebanon.
In 1999, Beirut hosted the Arab Club Championship, Hekmeh were crowned champions again, in addition to being the first Lebanese and first Arab team to win the Asian cup.
The 1999 season was inaugurated by a huge event that included an exhibition game between Lebanese All-stars (represented by the top four teams Sagesse, Riyadi, Tadamon, and Rosaire) and the Harlem Globetrotters.
Overview
The league is the first division in Lebanese basketball. The team that finishes last each season is relegated to the Second Division, while the Second Division's top four teams compete in a play-off system. The team that wins is promoted for the next season.
Competition
There are 12 teams in the league. They play a round-robin format; each team plays all other teams once home and once away. At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams enter the playoffs and play a best of 5 series in the quarterfinals. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the best of 5 series in the semifinals. The two teams that advance play a best of seven series in the final, and the winner is the league champion.
Teams
The following 12 teams play in the 2025–26 season.
| Team | City | Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Riyadi | Beirut | Saeb Salam Arena | |
| Antranik | Antelias | AGBU Demirdjian Center | |
| Antonine | Baabda | Antonine Arena | |
| Beirut Club | Beirut | Chiyah Stadium | |
| Champville Maristes | Dik El Mehdi | Champville Club Center | |
| Club Central Jounieh | Jounieh | Club Central | |
| Club Jeunesse Sportif Batroun | Batroun | Batroun Sports Club | |
| Homenetmen Beirut | Mezher | Adom & Sella Tenjukian stadium | |
| Hoops Club | Beirut | Rockland Arena | |
| NSA | Jounieh | Fouad Chehab Stadium | |
| Sagesse | Ghazir | Antoine Choueiri Stadium | |
| Tadamon Hrajel | Zouk Mikael | Kahraba Zouk Club Stadium |
Since 1993, 40 teams participated in the League. The list consists of:
1-Al Riyadi Club Beirut (since 1993)
2- Homenetmen Beirut (1993-1996, 1997/98-2000/01, 2004/05, since 2013/14)
3- Anibal Zahle (1993, 1995, 1996/97-2012/13, 2019/20-2021/22)
4- Tadamon Zouk (1993-2001/02, 2013/14-2017/18)
5- Kahraba Zouk (1993-2002/03, 2008/09-2009/10)
6- Club Jeunesse Meziara (1993-1996, 1997/98-2000/01)
7- Club Central Jounieh (1993-1996, 2001/02-2002/03, since 2024/25)
8- Mont La Salle Club (1993-1997/98)
9- Taadod Club Beirut (1993-1996/97)
10-ENB Beyrouth (1993-1995, 1996/97)
11-Hawch Sour (1993, 1999/2000)
12-Club Carmelite (1993)
13-Sagesse BC (since 1994)
14-Antranik Youth Association (1994-2012/13, since 2021/22)
15-Rosaire Club Mansouriyeh (1994-1999/2000)
16-Beit Mery Club (1994, 1996/97-1998/99)
17-Animation Club Zouk (1994-1995, 1996/97)
18-Ghazir Club (1995, 1996/97, 2002/03)
19-Abnaa Khalij Jounieh (1995-1996)
20-Jamhour Blue Stars (1996/97, 2000/01-2008/09)
21-Shabeb Ghobeiry (1996/97-1997/98)
22-CS Maristes (since 1998/99)
23-Rabta Club Chekka (1998/99)
24-Sadaka SC (1999/2000-2002/03)
25-Café Najjar (2003/04)
26-Feytroun Club (2004/05-2005/06, 2007/08-2008/09)
27-Mouttahed Club (2005/06-2020/21)
28-Club Sportif Antonin (2006/07, 2017/18, since 2023/24)
29-Tebnin SC/Dynamo Beirut (2008/09, 2021/22-2022/23)
30-Hoops Club (2009/10-2016/17, since 2018/19)
31-Byblos Club (2010/11-2022/23)
32-Chabibet Haouch el Oumara (2010/11-2011/12)
33-Bejjeh Club (2011/12-2013/14)
34-Club Amchit (2012/13-2013/14)
35-Club Louaize/Leaders Club (2015/16-2017/18, 2022/23)
36-Mayrouba SC (2016/17, 2023/24-2024/25)
37-Beirut Club (since 2017/18)
38-Club Atlas Ferzol (2018/19-2022/23)
39-NSA Club (since 2022/23)
40-Tadamon Hrajel (since 2024/25)
41-Club Jeunesse Sportif Batroun (2025-2026)
Champions
Wins by year
:FLB League (standings since 1993)
| Season | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 1992–1993 | Al Riyadi | Kahraba Zouk |
| 1993–1994 | Sagesse | Kahraba Zouk |
| 1994–1995 | Al Riyadi (2) | Kahraba Zouk |
| 1995–1996 | ||
| 1996–1997 | Al Riyadi (3) | Tadamon Zouk |
| 1997–1998 | Sagesse (2) | Tadamon Zouk |
| 1998–1999 | Sagesse (3) | Tadamon Zouk |
| 1999–2000 | Sagesse (4) | Antranik Beirut |
| 2000–2001 | Sagesse (5) | Al Riyadi |
| 2001–2002 | Sagesse (6) | Champville |
| 2002–2003 | Sagesse (7) | Al Riyadi |
| 2003–2004 | Sagesse (8) | Champville |
| 2004–2005 | Al Riyadi (4) | Sagesse |
| 2005–2006 | Al Riyadi (5) | Sagesse |
| 2006–2007 | Al Riyadi (6) | Blue Stars |
| 2007–2008 | Al Riyadi (7) | Mouttahed |
| 2008–2009 | Al Riyadi (8) | Mouttahed |
| 2009–2010 | Al Riyadi (9) | Champville |
| 2010–2011 | Al Riyadi (10) | Champville |
| 2011–2012 | Champville | Anibal |
| 2012–2013 | ||
| 2013–2014 | Al Riyadi (11) | Sagesse |
| 2014–2015 | Al Riyadi (12) | Byblos Club |
| 2015–2016 | Al Riyadi (13) | Sagesse |
| 2016–2017 | Al Riyadi (14) | Homenetmen |
| 2017–2018 | Homenetmen | Al Riyadi |
| 2018–2019 | Al Riyadi (15) | Beirut Club |
| 2019–2020 | ||
| 2020–2021 | Al Riyadi (16) | Champville |
| 2021–2022 | Beirut Club | Al Riyadi |
| 2022–2023 | Al Riyadi (17) | Dynamo |
| 2023–2024 | Al Riyadi (18) | Sagesse |
| 2024–2025 | Al Riyadi (19) | Sagesse |
Wins by team
| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Riyadi | 38 | 4 | 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 | 2000–01, 2002–03, 2017–18, 2021–22 |
| Sagesse | 8 | 6 | 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 | 2004–05, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2023–24, 2024-25 |
| Champville | 1 | 5 | 2011–12 | 2001–02, 2003–04, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2020–21 |
| Homenetmen | 1 | 1 | 2017–18 | 2016–17 |
| Beirut | 1 | 1 | 2021–22 | 2018–19 |
| Aamal Bikfaya | 1 | 0 | 1991–92 | |
| Kahraba Zouk | 0 | 3 | 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 | |
| Tadamon Zouk | 0 | 3 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 | |
| Mouttahed | 0 | 2 | 2007–08, 2008–09 | |
| Antranik Beirut | 0 | 1 | 1999–2000 | |
| Blue Stars | 0 | 1 | 2006–07 | |
| Anibal | 0 | 1 | 2011–12 | |
| Byblos | 0 | 1 | 2014–15 | |
| Dynamo | 0 | 1 | 2022–23 |
Rivalries
Beirut derby Main article: Beirut derby (basketball)
- Al Riyadi vs ** Sagesse Club**
Other rivalries
- Al Riyadi vs Champville
- Homenetmen Beirut vs Al Riyadi
- Champville vs Sagesse Club
- Tadamon Zouk vs Sagesse Club
- Antranik vs Homenetmen Beirut
- Tadamon Zouk vs Kahraba Zouk
Notable players
- LBN Bassel Bawji
- LBN Rony Fahed
- LBN Hayk Gyokchyan
- LBN Nadim Souaid
- LBN Roy Samaha
- LBN Ali Haidar
- LBN Elie Stephan
- LBN Elie Rustom
- LBN Elie Mechantaf
- LIB Ali Mezher
- LBN Wael Arakji
- LBN Mohammad Ibrahim
- LBN Ahmad Ibrahim
- LBN Amir Saoud
- LBN Fadi El Khatib
- LBN Joe Vogel
- LBN Ali Mahmoud
- LBN Brian Beshara
- LBN Jean Abdelnour
- LBN Sabah Khoury
- LBN Omar El Turk
- LBN Anthony Khoury
- LBN Billy Pharis
- LBN Ghaleb Rida
- LBN Ali Kanaan
- LBN Billy Pharis
- LBN Jason Azzi
- LBN Daniel Faris
- LBN Charbel Kassis
- LBN Matt Freije
- NGR/USA Ekene Ibekwe
- AUS South Sudan Duop Reath
- USA Jean-Paul Afif
- USA Samaki Walker
- USA Cliff Alexander
- USA Kerwin Roach
- USA Hassan Whiteside
- USA Shabazz Muhammad
- USA Rashad McCants
- USA Jeremy Pargo
- USA Norvel Pelle
- USA Isaiah Austin
- USA Danny Pippen
- USA JJ Hickson
- USA Mike Taylor (basketball player)
- USA Troy Williams
- USA Diamond Stone
- USA Zach Lofton
- USA Kevin Murphy (basketball)
- USA Ace Custis
- USA DeWayne Jackson
- USA Patrick Rembert
- USA Dion Dixon
- USA Corey Williams
- USA Brian Cook
- USA Tony Madison
- USA Alvin Sims
- USA C.J. Giles
- USA Darryl Watkins
- USA Lee Nailon
- USA Herbert Hill
- USA Jumaine Jones
- USA Loren Woods
- USA Priest Lauderdale
- USA Dewarick Spencer
- USA Flip Murray
- USA Desmond Penigar
- USA Rasheim Wright
- USA Marcus Haislip
- USA Harold Jamison
- USA Andre Emmett
- USA Nate Johnson
- USA Marc Salyers
- USA Earl Barron
- USA Scotty Thurman
- USA Rick Hughes
- USA DeShawn Sims
- USA Aaron Harper
- USA LeRoy Hurd
- USA Tre Kelley
- USA Sam Hoskin
- USA Quincy Douby
- USA Ronnie Fields
- USA Willie Burton
- USA Marlon Parmer
- USA Booker Woodfox
- USA Reyshawn Terry
- USA DerMarr Johnson
- USA Rashad Anderson
- USA Jerald Honeycutt
- USA Terrell Stoglin
- USA Dickey Simpkins
- USA Cedric Henderson
- USA Jeremiah Massey
- USA Ruben Patterson
- USA Sherell Ford
- USA Jamal Robinson
- USA Nate Robinson
- USA Jonathan Gibson
- USA Cleanthony Early
- USASerbia Nick Rakocevic
- USA Jordan Dar Tucker
- AUS South Sudan LBN Ater Majok
- BIH Aleksandar Radojević
- Sierra LeoneLibya Alpha Bangura
- Egypt Ismail Ahmad
- Tunisia Salah Mejri
- France Ali Traore
- Nigeria Ndudi Ebi
- Georgia Nikoloz Tskitishvili
- Nigeria Jeleel Akindele
- Croatia Dalibor Bagarić
- Iran Asghar Kardoust
- Iran Hamed Haddadi
- Serbia Ratko Varda
- Serbia Vladan Vukosavljević
- Palestine Sani Sakakini
- Syria Michael Madanly
- USA Marcus Banks
- U.S. Virgin Islands Walter Hodge
- TUN Makrem Ben Romdhane
- USA Sam Young (basketball)
- USA LBN Rony Seikaly
- USA PHI Justin Brownlee
- AUS South Sudan Thon Maker
Notable coaches
- LIB Ghassan Sarkis
- LIB Ahmad Farran
- Slovenia Slobodan Subotić
- GRE Ilias Zouros
- SRB Nenad Vucinic
- SRB Veselin Matic
- SRB Dragan Raca
- USA Tab Baldwin
References
References
- "Decathlon Lebanese Basketball League".
- "Asia-Basket".
- "افتتاح بطولات لبنان لموسم 98/99 عروض لالهارلم مع اندية النخبة اللبنانية".
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