Roy Samaha

Roy Samaha

No. 33 – Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Position	Center
Personal information
Born	(1984-09-12) September 12, 1984 Zahlé, Lebanon
Nationality	Lebanese
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	256 lb (116 kg)
Career information
Playing career	1999–present
Career history
2016–present	Al Riyadi
Medals Men's Basketball Representing Lebanon FIBA Asia Championship 2007 Tokushima Team

Roy Nicolas Samaha (born 12 September 1984 in Zahlé) is a Lebanese professional basketball player. Samaha is 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.

Early years

Samaha started his basketball 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.

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 4 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.

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 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 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.

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 league.He finished his season (2009–10) with 11.5 ppg and about 10 rbd.

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 2nd in the Lebanese Championship after defeating Riyadi.

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 University (Jbeil) with high distinction. Prior to joining Moutahed Tripoli in 2007, Samaha played in France (with Paris Basket Racing)