Roy Samaha
Encyclopedia
Roy Nicolas Samaha (born 12 September 1984 in Zahlé
) is a Lebanese
professional basketball center
currently playing with Hekmeh
of the Lebanese Basketball League
. Samaha is a key element 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
.
career in 1999 when he was recruited by one of the leading Basketball
teams in Lebanon
, Sagesse
Team. He joined Sagesse
and made his way to the first team in the end of 1999 to become the youngest Lebanese player in the Lebanese Basketball League
.
Championships, 3 Lebanese Cups and for the first time in Lebanon
's history, 2 FIBA Asia Champions Cup
titles in 2000 and 2004.
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
later on lost in the finals to Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
3 to 1, noting that (Riyadi) hadn't lost to any team during the entire 2007 season.
.He finished his season (2009–10) with 11.5 ppg and about 10 rbd.
.
(Jbeil).
Prior to joining Moutahed Tripoli in 2007, Samaha played in France
(with Paris Basket Racing
)
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
) is a Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
professional basketball center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
currently playing with Hekmeh
Hekmeh
Hekmeh SC, or Hekmeh Sports Club also known by its French synonym Sagesse or Club Sagesse or Club Sportif Sagesse is a multi-sports club in Lebanon....
of the Lebanese Basketball League
Lebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
. Samaha is a key element in the Lebanon national basketball team
Lebanon national basketball team
The Lebanon national basketball team is the basketball team representing Lebanon in international competitions.-History:The first time basketball was ever played in Lebanon was in the mid-1920s in the American University of Beirut...
and participated lately in the 2006 FIBA World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
, FIBA Asia Championship 2007
FIBA Asia Championship 2007
The 2007 FIBA Asia Championship for Men is the qualifying tournament for FIBA Asia at the men's basketball tournament at the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing. The tournament was held in Tokushima, Japan from July 28 to August 5, 2007....
and FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008
FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008
The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament...
.
Early years
Samaha started his basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
career in 1999 when he was recruited by one of the leading Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
teams in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Sagesse
Sagesse
Sagesse is a volume of French poetry by Paul Verlaine. First published in 1880 , it was important in the symbolist and modernist movements. The subject matter of these poems deals with themes relating to maturing....
Team. He joined Sagesse
Sagesse
Sagesse is a volume of French poetry by Paul Verlaine. First published in 1880 , it was important in the symbolist and modernist movements. The subject matter of these poems deals with themes relating to maturing....
and made his way to the first team in the end of 1999 to become the youngest Lebanese player in the Lebanese Basketball League
Lebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
.
Sagesse (Hekmeh) Years (1999-2004)
Samaha played with Hekmeh BC (Sagesse) team for 4 consecutive seasons where he helped his team win 4 Lebanese Basketball LeagueLebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
Championships, 3 Lebanese Cups and for the first time in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
's history, 2 FIBA Asia Champions Cup
FIBA Asia Champions Cup
The FIBA Asia Champions Cup is the Asian club championship for basketball organized by FIBA Asia, and takes place every year.-Summary:- Titles by team :- Titles by country :-References:*...
titles in 2000 and 2004.
Blue Stars Years (2005-2007)
Samaha transferred from Hekmeh BC (Sagesse) to Blue Stars team for three consecutive seasons. He played as a starter and was one of the team's best rebounders and defensive players.Mouttahed (2007-2009)
Following his time with the Blue Stars, Samaha joined the newly promoted to Division A Al Mouttahed TripoliAl Mouttahed Tripoli
Al Muttahed also known by its name United Club Tripoli is a Lebanese sports club most known for its basketball program playing in top division for men and women. It is located Tripoli, Lebanon...
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
Al Mouttahed Tripoli
Al Muttahed also known by its name United Club Tripoli is a Lebanese sports club most known for its basketball program playing in top division for men and women. It is located Tripoli, Lebanon...
later on lost in the finals to Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut, also known as Riyadi Club and Sporting Club is a Lebanese Basketball club based in Raouché, Beirut where both men's and women's tournaments are held every year....
3 to 1, noting that (Riyadi) hadn't lost to any team during the entire 2007 season.
Sagesse (2009-2010)
After his injury, Samaha rejoined his former team the green castle Hekmeh BC (Sagesse). After rejoining the team, Samaha was the best rebounder in his team and one of the top rebounders in the leagueLebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
.He finished his season (2009–10) with 11.5 ppg and about 10 rbd.
Anibal Zahle (2010- )
After a summer with the national team, Samaha joined his city club Anibal ZahleAnibal Zahle
Anibal Zahle is a Lebanese sports club most known for its basketball program that played in first division basketball for many years. Its women basketball team presently plays in top division for women...
.
Honors and awards
- Lebanese Cup Winner -01, 02, 03
- Lebanese League Champion -01, 02, 03, 04
- 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
- Lebanese Cup Finalist -04, 07
- Lebanese League Regular Season Runner-Up -04, 07, 08
- WABA Cup -04
- Lebanese U20 National Team -04
- Asian U20 Championships in Tehran (Iran) - 04
- WABA Championships in Tehran -04
- Lebanese League Semifinals -05, 06
- 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 UniversityLebanese American University
The Lebanese American University is a secular, private and independent American university located in Lebanon...
(Jbeil).
Prior to joining Moutahed Tripoli in 2007, Samaha played in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(with Paris Basket Racing
Paris Basket Racing
Paris Basket Racing, or PBR, is a now-defunct French professional basketball club from Paris. It was founded in the year 1922 as the basketball section of the sports club Racing Club de Paris. The team took the name "Paris Basket Racing" in 2000....
)