Roy Samaha

Roy Nicolas Samaha (born 12 September 1984 in Zahlé) is a retired (from the 1st division) Lebanese professional basketball player. He was a key player in the Lebanon national basketball team and participated lately in the 2006 FIBA World Championship,FIBA Asia Championship 2007 and FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008.^[1]

Roy Samaha

No. 10 – Free Agent
Position	Center
Personal information
Born	(1984-09-12) September 12, 1984 (age 40) Zahlé, Lebanon
Nationality	Lebanese
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
Playing career	2000–present
Career history
1999–2004	Club Sagesse
2004–2007	Blue Stars
2007–2009	Al Mouttahed Tripoli
2009–2010	Club Sagesse
2010–2012	Anibal Zahle
2012–2013	Al Mouttahed Tripoli
2013–2015	Al Riyadi
2015–2016	Club Sagesse
2016–2017	Al Riyadi
2018	Antounieh BC
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  Lebanon FIBA Asia Championship 2007 Tokushima Team

Early years

Samaha started his basketball career in 2000 when he was recruited by Sagesse, one of the leading basketball teams in Lebanon. He joined Sagesse and made his way to the first team in the end of 1999.^{[citation needed]}

Professional sports career

Sagesse (Hekmeh) Years (1999-2004)

Samaha played with Hekmeh BC (Sagesse) team for 4 consecutive seasons where he helped his team win four Lebanese Basketball League championships, three Lebanese Cups and for the first time in Lebanon's history, two FIBA Asia Champions Cup titles in 2000 and 2004.

Blue Stars Years (2005-2007)

Samaha transferred to the Blue Stars team for three consecutive seasons. He played as a starter.^{[citation needed]}

Mouttahed (2007-2009)

Following his time with the Blue Stars, Samaha joined the newly promoted to Division A Al Mouttahed Tripoli team. Samaha averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds a game and led his team to the semi-finals and caused an upset by beating his former team and one of the favorites to win the championship.. Al Mouttahed Tripoli lost in the finals to Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut, which had been unbeaten that season, 3 games to 1.^{[citation needed]}

Sagesse (2009-2010)

After his injury, Samaha rejoined his former team the green castle Hekmeh BC (Sagesse). He finished with 11.5 points per game and about^[vague] 10 rebounds per game.^{[citation needed]}

Anibal Zahle (2010-2012)

After a summer with the national team, Samaha joined his city club Anibal Zahle. Anibal Zahle won the Dubai Championship 2011, and the club managed to grab second in the Lebanese Championship after defeating Riyadi.^{[citation needed]}

Mouttahed (2012-2013)

Samaha returned to Mouttahed in 2012 under coach Jean-Denys Choulet.^[2]

Honors and awards

• Lebanese Cup Winner -01, 02, 03
• Lebanese League Champion -01, 02, 03, 04,15,17
• Asian Club Championships -01, 04(winner), 07 (Quarterfinals)
• Lebanese U18 National Team -01
• West Asian championship (junior) 1st place -01
• Lebanese National Team -02-08
• World Championships -02, 06
• WABA Cup -04
• Lebanese U20 National Team -04
• Asian U20 Championships in Tehran (Iran) - 04
• WABA Championships in Tehran -04
• Lebanese Cup Semifinals -06
• World Championships in Japan -06: 5 games: 4.6ppg, 3.8rpg
• Asian Games in Doha -06
• Lebanese League Finalist -07, 08
• William Jones Cup Tournament -07
• Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Most Improved Player of the Year -08
• Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Honorable Mention -08

Personal

Samaha graduated from the Lebanese American University (Byblos) with high distinction. Prior to joining Moutahed Tripoli in 2007, Samaha played in France with Paris Basket Racing.^[3]

References

1. Player biography fiba.com
2. "Eurobasket Daily News Report: 8/30/2012 1:04:01 AM". www.eurobasket.com. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
3. Profile AsiaBasket