Lebanese Basketball League
Organising bodyLebanese Basketball Federation (LFB)
Founded1951
First season1951–52
Country Lebanon
ConfederationFIBA Asia
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toDivision 2
Domestic cup(s)Lebanese Cup
International cup(s)FIBA Asia Champions Cup
Arab Club Basketball Championship
West Asia Super League
Current championsAl Riyadi (17th title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsAl Riyadi (17 titles)
TV partnersMTV (Lebanon)
Websitelebanon.basketball
2022–23 Lebanese Basketball League

The Lebanese Basketball League 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).[1]

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.

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 a professional format.

In 1997, Sporting Club (Al Riyadi) finished as Lebanese champions, allowing them to participate in the 1998 FIBA Asia Champions Cup . There, they finished 3rd place. That same year, Al Riyadi lost the Lebanese championship to their rivals Sagesse Club (Hekmeh).

In 1998, Beirut hosted the Arab Club Championship. Hekmeh won, the first ever basketball trophy for Lebanon. In 1999, Beirut hosted the Arab Club Championship again. Hekmeh repeated as champions.

Al Riyadi has its greatest success in the Arab Club Championship during the 2000s. They won the title in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010. In 2009, they defeated their fellow Lebanese team Hekmeh in the final, the first time two Lebanese teams met in the final. The 2009 tournament was held in Beirut.

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 10 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

Locations of teams in the Lebanese Basketball League 2023–24

The following 10 teams play in the 2023–24 season.

Team City Arena Capacity
Al Riyadi Beirut Saeb Salam Arena 2,500
Antranik Antelias AGBU Demirdjian Center 2,000
Antonine Baabda Antonine Arena 1,000
Beirut Club Beirut Chiyah Stadium 2,500
Champville Maristes Dik El Mehdi Champville Club Center 5,000
Mayrouba Jounieh Club Central 1,000
Homenetmen Mezher Homentmen Mezher 1,000
Hoops Club Dora Michel El Murr Complex 2,000
NSA Jounieh Fouad Chehab Stadium 1,200
Sagesse Ghazir Antoine Choueiri Stadium 5,000

Champions

Wins by year

FLB League (standings since 1993)
SeasonChampionRunner-up
1992–1993Al RiyadiKahraba Zouk
1993–1994SagesseKahraba Zouk
1994–1995Al Riyadi (2)Kahraba Zouk
1995–1996
League Cancelled
1996–1997Al Riyadi (3)Tadamon Zouk
1997–1998Sagesse (2)Tadamon Zouk
1998–1999Sagesse (3)Tadamon Zouk
1999–2000Sagesse (4)Antranik Beirut
2000–2001Sagesse (5)Champville
2001–2002Sagesse (6) Al Riyadi
2002–2003Sagesse (7)Al Riyadi
2003–2004Sagesse (8)Al Riyadi
2004–2005Al Riyadi (4)Sagesse
2005–2006Al Riyadi (5)Sagesse
2006–2007Al Riyadi (6)Blue Stars
2007–2008 Al Riyadi (7)Mouttahed
2008–2009Al Riyadi (8)Mouttahed
2009–2010Al Riyadi (9)Champville
2010–2011Al Riyadi (10)Champville
2011–2012ChampvilleAnibal
2012–2013
League Cancelled
2013–2014Al Riyadi (11)Sagesse
2014–2015Al Riyadi (12)Byblos Club
2015–2016Al Riyadi (13)Sagesse
2016–2017Al Riyadi (14)Homenetmen
2017–2018HomenetmenAl Riyadi
2018–2019Al Riyadi (15)Beirut Club
2019–2020
League Cancelled
2020–2021Al Riyadi (16)Champville
2021–2022Beirut ClubAl Riyadi
2022-2023Al Riyadi (17)Dynamo Club

Wins by team

Club Titles Runners-up Seasons won Seasons runner-up
Al Riyadi 17 4 1992–93, 1994–1995, 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 2002–03, 2003–04, 2017–18, 2021–22
Sagesse 8 4 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04 2004–05, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2015–16
Champville 1 5 2011–12 2000–01, 2001–02, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2020–21
Homenetmen 1 1 2017–18 2016–17
Beirut 1 1 2021–22 2018–19
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

The Big Rivalry

Other Rivalries

Notable players

Notable coaches

Women's league

2019–20 teams:

References

  1. ↑ "Asia-Basket". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
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