Fadi El Khatib

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Fadi El Khatib
Position Guard/Forward
Height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg)
Team Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Born January 1, 1979 (1979-01-01) (age 29)
Beirut, Lebanon
Nationality Lebanon
College Alabama University NCAA (did not register)
Pro career 1998–present

Fadi El Khatib (Arabic: فادي الخطيب‎), born January 1, 1979, is a basketball player currently playing for al riyadi sporting beruit lebanese basketball federation. He is also a member of the Lebanon national basketball team that participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championship which took place in Japan in August and September 2006.

Fadi El Khatib was the 7th best scorer in the tournament, averaging 18 points per game. His performances in the World Championship affected his team's status because in Lebanon's victories El Khatib averaged 32 points per game, but in Lebanon's defeats El Khatib averaged 10 points per game. His nickname is the "Tiger"! He is married with 2 sons. Fadi was well known due to the truimphs with Sagesse, in which 3 Asian cups and 2 Pan Arab cups where lifted by him. Khatib has been recognized as the best forward in Asia for the last 10 years.

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[edit] Outlook

Probably the top prospect in Lebanon. Great one-on-one scorer; scores in and out; great athleticism and wing span; and big time player. After Yao Ming (Houston Rockets), Fadi is arguably the next best prospect in Asia. He Possesses an incredible combination of size, strength, quickness and athleticism. After FIBA World Championships in Indianapolis, many NBA scouts were impressed with his shooting range , strength, athletic ability, physical and mental toughness.

Tim Grover personally invited him to workout with Michael Jordan, Michael Finley,Ray Allen, Charles Oakley, Sam Mack and Juwan Howard. They were all very impressed and told Fadi he should be in the NBA. Jordan was quoted in the New York Times, "Fadi El Khatib believes Lebanon's premiere player should be in the league."

[edit] Teams

By 1997, Fadi entered Sagesse Beirut under a three year contract; which was renewed by 7 more years. However, he tried-outs with Sacramento Kings (NBA), negotiated also with Los Angeles Clippers after invitations of such teams by the years 2002 and 2003. The Clippers signed him to like a 10 day contract and was on the edge to play, but Sagesse held him back for the 2003-2004 season and joined Syria's Al Ittihad Aleppo for 2004-2005 season; which he left for Sagesse later.

In 2006, he joined Lebanon's Blue Stars and signed with Ukraine's SK Cherkassy Monkeys. El Khatib returned to his native Lebanon and helped Sporting Club Al Riyadh Beirut to their third title at the International Dubai Tournament.

El Khatib announced that this summer he'll try to help Lebanon reach the 2008 Summer Olympics via the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

[edit] Playing style

Al Khatib started as center once he joined Sagesse, but it wasn't long before he took control of the forward side too. He's known of his physical abilities and playmaker's techniques which led him to be on the highest Asian basketball scorers.

One year prior to the Clippers' invitation, he made a name for himself at the international level by averaging 17.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals at the last version of the World Championships in Indianapolis. Despite his excellent individual showing there, Lebanon finished last in the tournament.

Fadi was known of his score points shinned again and at the 2006 FIBA World Championship where 18.8 ppg were in his league.

Later in 2007, Lebanon's 29-year-old leader decided this off-season to try his hand at hoops in Europe, playing for Ukrainian EuroCup team SK Cherkassy Monkeys.

He averaged 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in four EuroCup games before being released in January.

Accourding to FIBAgame.com, Fadi said that the basketball level in Ukraine is better than in Asia. Fadi focused on the point that the teams in the International Dubai Tournament are good enough to play in Europe thus giving credit to the participents.

[edit] Al Riyadi-Sagesse Controversy

At the 5th of August 2005, while Riyadi club tends to negotiate with its traditional rival, Sagesse club, the conditions related to national player signing of two different contracts, the green team’s club insisted that El Khatib signed the contract in the Lebanese Basketball League. On the other hand, Riyadi club expressed great distress as to what has been agreed upon assuring that it will go forth with the law suit, Sagesse refused to make any statement.

Riyadi club assured that the two clubs are on good terms, but the problem is with El Khatib and the Lebanese Champions will settle the matter in court. Fadi would then join Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut in March 2008.

[edit] Sponsors and Commercials

Pepsi was one of Fadi's show offs for such markets during his Sagesse run. It is widely known that he advertised for basketball championships in both Asia and FIBA. Fadi also promoted his famous dunk at Blue Stars - Muttahed game during the 2006-2007 season in Lebanon.

Al Khatib was also a part of Lebanese commercials supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in Nahr al-Bared during the 2007 Lebanon conflict.

[edit] Personal life

Al Khatib quoted in an interview with FIBA that he would not return to European basketball as his family sattles in Lebanon. His family is consist of his wife and two boys.

[edit] Awards and Achievements

  • Lebanese League Champion -98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04
  • Arab Cup Champion -98, 99
  • Lebanese National Team -98-02, 05-07
  • Asian Club Championships -99(1), 00(1), 01, 04-(1)
  • Asia ACB All-Star Game -00,01
  • Lebanon Military National Team -00
  • West Asian Championship 1st place -00,01
  • Lebanese Cup Winner -95, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03
  • Asian Championships -99(6), 01(Finalist), 02, 05 (Silver, Asia-Basket Best Forward, Asia-Basket All-1st Team)
  • All-Asian Championships 1st Team -01
  • World Championships in Indianapolis (USA) -02
  • Dream five of Asia -03
  • West Asia MVP -2001,2002
  • Dubai International Tournament -04 (Best Scorer)
  • Lebanese Cup Finalist -04, 06, 07
  • Lebanese League Regular Season Runner-Up -04, 06, 07
  • Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Player of the Year -04
  • Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Domestic Player of the Year -03, 04, 06
  • Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League 1st Team -03, 04, 06, 07
  • Asia-Basket.com Lebanese League All-Domestic Players Team -04, 06
  • Syrian League Regular Season Champion -05
  • World Championships in Japan -06: 5 games: 18.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 41.6%, 3FGP: 11.8%, FT: 84.8%
  • Asian Games in Doha -06
  • Lebanese League Finalist -06, 07
  • Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Forward of the Year -07
  • Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League All-Domestic Players Team -07
  • Asian Club Championships -07 (Quarterfinals)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links