NNJ Summer 2026 Week 1 Predictions

The Summer 2026 season is here! The rosters this season and matchups for this week are looking really good…Here is your Week 1 Preview.

Cairo vs Granada

With Zain, Wajdi and Omar Sehwail in the paint and Anas on the perimeter for Granada, Cairo will need a plan to limit their strength. Between Nader, Ahmed Ismaeil and Jay Wiggins they have the ball pressure to deny post entry and speed to double the post and get steals off players trying to back down. Last season the shooting threat of the guards gave Zain and Anas space to bump around, so the spotlight will be on Elhindi and Shahaan, who should have their share of open looks from three.

If Granada doesn’t get back in transition, Jay, Trey, Nader or Omar Hussein will twist and turn their way to the basket with no help to step in front or strip the ball. Zain will get back as the last line of defense but Granada need to consistently stop the ball while they get numbers back. Shrinking it to a halfcourt game will put pressure on Cairo to figure out what shots they want and how to work together to get them.

If the shooters don’t hit early, it’s hard to see Granada having the spacing to get the shots they want. If they want to pull it off, though, Cairo needs to finish defensive possessions on the glass.

Cairo by 10

Mombasa vs Damascus

Stopping Damascus this season will likely start with slowing down Singer. He’ll handle the ball and put pressure on the defense. For Mombasa, Raza can play on ball and stay attached while the rest of the team steps in to protect the paint. When Singer is off the ball, Omar Qasem will need to be aggressive as secondary ballhandler. Some new names for Mombasa, so unsure how they’ll decide to match up in the frontcourt aside from Elias. Any open looks for Ahmad Saleh are a win for the offense.

This Mombasa team will light it up from 3 if given the space with Ali, Sal and Sameh. Damascus has to be dialed in and play up on the shooters the moment the play starts, so they can navigate through screens. Ali will be the biggest scoring threat off the dribble. Singer should be able to stay attached defensively but the more help they get from players like Himey in the paint, the more Damascus can slow them down. If Raza looks to get the ball and get involved, Mombasa has a high ceiling.

Damascus’s offense doesn’t feel like it will be consistently threatening every play and most MB teams lack the defensive effort to guard teams with this many shooters.

Mombasa by 10

GAME OF THE WEEK: Dhaka vs Jerusalem

If Dhaka doesn’t have a set defense against Mike and Mahrooz on any given play, they might as well hand them 2 free points. Throwing multiple bodies at them and not allowing them to dribble freely will be key for Dhaka. Afay, Mo Masri and Yamin will have to space the floor and take pressure off for Jerusalem. Dhaka should try and test how balanced Jerusalem truly is and invite shot attempts from others (not wide open).

Some new names for Dhaka, starting with Lazar Jovanovich, who will look to star alongside bucket Ian Felix. With his size and athleticism along with inside-out skill, Dhaka is set up well to complement Ian, who’ll run the offense at PG. Tyler J will look to provide support for what looks like a lethal offense. Jerusalem should attempt the same gameplan as their opponent and live with, but still contest, looks from the supporting cast.

This feels like an incoming shootout and a high level shot making display. Slight edge to Dhaka for their chemistry boost.

Dhaka by 4

Kabul vs Amman

Defending Amman will not be easy, and Kabul will have to look beyond individual matchups to slow down Mahdy, Adeeb, Ali Suiafan and Jay. First, Gagan has to be able to play Mahdy up close and avoid giving him a lane to get downhill. Someone will need to step up as a second perimeter defender because Jay will create great shots for Adeeb and Ali if Kabul doesn’t apply pressure. We have to see how some of the new faces fit in for Kabul, but they’ll have size down low with Raied and Nafi.

Similarly, Gagan is someone you can’t allow to move freely if you’re Amman and has to be marked early in the play since he is a threat from 3. It will be interesting to see who takes this assignment. Adeeb seems like the answer if Jay prefers to play off the ball. Tariq is a suitable secondary handler but if Amman can use help to force him to make plays for others, it could work in their favor. Look forward to seeing how the new players fit into the picture.

If Amman values high quality shots and puts in the effort defensively, I think they have too much versatility on offense for a newly formed Kabul defense.

Amman by 8

Beirut vs Lahore

This side of the floor will be interesting, starting with the performance of Aadil. Beirut will need to be aware of him at all times and consistently get early position on him, as he tends to rack up second chance points. Jojo could be the best option to apply on ball pressure while the help walls off the paint. Lahore will need help from new faces Julian, Adham or Chase to shift the point of attack and attention away from Aadil and create open 3s for Zubair. Hard to judge with many new faces.

It can be easier sometimes to defend one or two MVP level talents rather than deal with a balanced offense like Beirut brings to the table. While Lahore can’t afford to overextend help in one direction, they have to pay attention to Shafic at all times. Without any pressure on the ball, he’ll see the floor well and find the best matchup. Aadil will look to muddy up the paint for Lahore, so Beirut would benefit from some good 3pt shooting to space the floor, which can be up and down for them.

I expect Lahore to hustle and build off a defensive identity but we have to see if the new players can help consistently create and convert good quality shots.

Beirut by 6

Gaza vs Istanbul

Istanbul has a nice collection of pieces that can give defenses problems but we need to see who will get the ball to the spots they want and who they rely on to convert their best looks. They could look to Khaled as a ball handler after he showed greatly improved poise and shot selection last season, and Nick as a scorer since he has potential to get hot anytime. Gaza will bring their aggressive and physical Abbassi defense, so if Istanbul’s offense is too passive, they won’t get any good looks.

There are a couple versions of Gaza’s offense, the one where everyone tries to get Omar open and the one where he doesn’t touch the ball. Ideally, they’d be able to balance both every play. Until then, Istanbul has to stay close to contest Omar’s shots. If the bigs are going to set and reset picks, Istanbul’s bigs need to play up at the level of the screen and stay involved in the play. At the same time, if they work well together, Istanbul can pack the paint vs Gaza’s double big lineup.

Istanbul’s core from last season pulled off multiple nice defensive game plans and they’ll need another one this week. Gaza’s plan is more proven for now.

Gaza by 4

Tripoli vs Islamabad

The (mostly) hot and cold offense of Islamabad comes from a heavy volume of 3s. They’ll look to screen shooters open early or use drives to get open kickouts, and trust that each shot is going in. Tripoli has the personnel to apply pressure on the perimeter with the Aglaguel brothers and the luxury of Mana helping in the paint. However, we have to see if Adam can be a factor from 3 to draw Mana out. Shahzaib can take some pressure off the guard-heavy offense by hitting some pullups in the paint.

This Tripoli team is a tough cover when they get a lane to the basket, especially Mana and Moayad, but doesn’t consistently stretch defenses horizontally. They’ll look to new addition AK to give them a real 3 point threat. Islamabad has to force Mana to go out on the perimeter if he wants the ball and make him pick up his dribble early when he puts it on the floor. The defense has to be in sync and ready to hustle so they can plug up the driving lanes and cover for each other.

Both defenses have a difficult task but I think a great Tripoli defense executes enough to slow down a great Islamabad offense.

Tripoli by 2