NNJ FallBall 2025 Week 1 Predictions

MB is back! Before we start, let’s remember that we are all a part of a brotherhood that is bigger than basketball. We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Palestine and across the Ummah, and let’s keep that in mind throughout the season. May Allah (swt) reward them and all of us. Ameen.

Since it’s Week 1 and we got the new season energy, we’ll do quick previews of the teams for Week 1 and then keep it just predictions moving forward.

Gaza vs Yazur

Gaza will be a fun team to watch all season. Led by Ian, they will run up and down the floor and Jehad and Hamza can run the wings and light it up in a hurry. In order to win games, they’ll need to focus on defense and details, starting with on ball and transition defense. Muhanad Deeb will set the tone but everyone will need to step up and chip in.

Yazur continues to develop their core and find out what works for them on offense and defense. So far, they have been able to hold their own in the paint with Marawan and new addition Adam Daoud, and have the skilled ballhandlers in Alaa and Hicham to get to spots they want on the floor. Where they get their best shots from and how consistently they can hit them will determine how many games they win.

Taking advantage of Gaza’s defense is usually the key to gaining the winning advantage but so far Yazur hasn’t shown the consistent shot making to give me the confidence to take advantage.

Gaza by 6

Areeha vs Haifa

Areeha has reloaded and this roster is stocked and looking to make a deep run. Both Ali Suiafan and Jay should step in right away as the 2 best deep threats. With Singer and Mahrooz putting pressure on the rim, they have everything they need on paper. Salman will give them the size to control the glass. Jay, Singer, and Mahrooz should also lead what will likely be one of the best defenses in the league. To beat the league’s best, we’ll have to see what their plan is to defend PnR and how they plan to create space for their slashers in the halfcourt.

Whichever part of the floor you try to defend against Haifa, the ball will go somewhere else. Amir Charkas can score from anywhere on the court and Deep and Raj will keep your head spinning while Amir finds space. Adding another elite shot maker in Shahzaib who will fit in perfectly moving the ball takes this offense to another level. This should be the top offense in the league. Deep and Shahzaib can lead a smart defensive team as well but no one has really shown to be a top 1v1 defender. To fully take advantage of their offense, they’ll need to cut down on the turnovers from all their fancy passes.

Haifa is the perfect team to exploit Areeha’s PnR defense even with all the talent Areeha has on defense. I can see both offenses cooking but assuming the shots are falling, 3>2.

Haifa by 3

Safad vs Nazareth

You know what floor you’re getting with Safad: strong individual defenders, team gameplans to stop the best player, and a physicality that throws teams off their game. They can compete in any game and pull off unexpected upsets. To stack up the wins, as always, it will come down to the offense. With Aadil in the fold this season, they will have two strong transition players in him and Omar. In the halfcourt, they will run their off ball screens and keep the offense flowing from side to side but in the past, they’ve struggled to create separation against the league’s top defenses.

Nazareth has built their team through a simple but effective strategy. They’ve got size and strength down low with Luis and Lawrence. And they’ve got plenty of speed and athleticism on the perimeter in Muhammad Assaf and Khaled Musbeh. Captain Yamin will have a big task to come up with effective gameplans to put all the pieces together, defend the PnR, and get back in transition.

I have a lot of questions about how both teams will fare offensively but the details will determine who comes out on top and I think that favors Safad. I expect Safad to hurt them in transition, especially off turnovers.

Safad by 2

Yaffa vs Jenin

This team has been built very intentionally and they could have everything they need if they can put it together. Malik and Splash will provide shooting and there is physicality across the board with Ahmad, Himey, Omar Elsamna and Hossam. Newcomer Derek will have a lot on his shoulders to attract enough extra attention to give his teammates the lanes and windows to take advantage. They’ll need a lot of details to go their way, though, so we’ll see how they execute over the course of the season.

I’m excited to see what kind of identity Jenin forms over the course of the season on both ends. Early on, I expect Wajdi and Akrum to have a lot of success as the league tries to get accustomed to Akrum’s game and how to slow him down. Together with the shooting from Mohamed and Zubair, I expect this team to be better on the offensive side. On the other end, however, they also have Raied to who has the physicality to give opposing front court players issues. The key to beating this team will be figuring out how to make them rely on the supporting cast, whether that’s doubling the post or aggressive PnR defense.

As I mentioned, I think it will take time for the league to figure out how to best guard Wajdi and Akrum together. Too many things need to go right for me to pick Yaffa.

Jenin by 10

Rafah vs Baysan

The individual talent of Rafah can match up with any team. Between Zain, Anas x2, and Joey, they are loaded with scoring options and shooting from everywhere on the floor. On defense, they’ll rely on Zain to protect the rim and Nabil’s energy to cover a lot of ground. The ceiling of their offense will be dependent on whether they revert to a take turns approach or find ways to work off each other and threaten from all areas of the floor simultaneously. They’ll need to be sharp in transition as well to keep up with some of the more athletic teams.

The first few weeks of the season will be crucial for Baysan as they figure out where their best shots will come from and how they can best match up against the league’s best players. They’ll have an advantage as opposing defenses will be more spread out, without a focal point to shift towards. They have shooters in Omar Marachli, Ahmad Saleh and Ismail. John will be a presence in the paint as well. It will be interesting to follow how this team puts it together.

Rafah can be exploited both in the transition game and with a defense that helps and communicates well. It’s too early for me to have the confidence in Baysan to pull that off and I think the talent of Rafah will be the difference.

Rafah by 8

Al-Khalil vs Al-Bireh

The toughness and communication on defense for Al-Khalil is unmatched and there is no drop off when the bench comes in. They can switch picks and will give help to their help. Ahmad will shadow anyone and force tough shots, and Omar will be a presence in the paint. On offense, Hassan and Mahdy will demand extra help and the floor is always perfectly spaced to create open 3s. It will take perfect execution to beat this team, including limiting turnovers on offense and finding a shooter on a cold night from 3 to funnel shots to on defense.

Al-Bireh always bring a talented roster and they have reloaded yet again with a stacked team, bringing Adeeb and Khalid into the mix. If you have a weak spot anywhere on defense, anyone on the floor can press it at any point and Shafic will find them. Led by Towfeek and Amir, they also play with the highest intensity in the league and will have top level athleticism. However, Al-Bireh sometimes gets in their own way and their aggression can leave holes on defense and get them in foul trouble. On offense, they can benefit from looking for easier shots and better using their athleticism instead of relying on tough shot making ability.

This is my best game of the week. Two very talented teams means I have to nitpick in deciding on a winner. Athleticism is usually an advantage for Al-Bireh but I think less so against Al-Khalil. They make less mistakes and they have the mentality to power through dry stretches.

Al-Khalil by 2

Jerusalem vs Bethlehem

Jerusalem and captain Sufian are running back a similar formula with different pieces, building around the size of Michael Knight, Nick and Big O. Nick and Afay should help space the floor and Michael should attract enough extra attention to let his teammates thrive. They lost a few nail biters last year and the difference might be clearer plans on how they want to defend the PnR, and what spots on the floor to get their best players the ball.

Bethlehem has a different look this season with some fresh faces. Adding Jay and Omar Qasem will give this team an injection of athleticism and IQ, respectively. Add in Nader and Omar Hussein and defenses will be on their heels trying to stop penetration into the paint. This team will be anchored by their offense, and the ceiling will be determined by how much the ball moves around and whether they can avoid being static and inviting defenses to guard 1 man attacks with 5 defenders.

With Big O anchoring the paint, I can see Bethlehem running into a wall early. They can overcome it if they adjust, but history makes me think they won’t do it soon enough.

Jerusalem by 8

Tiberias vs Tulkarem

Tiberias is the most dangerous team in the league when they’re hot because no one is as consistent with open 3s than them and the game runs away from you fast. Ali Hassan and Andrew can also mix it up with the ability to run the floor and put pressure on the rim. On the other end, they’ve had some success with a zone in the past and if they can force teams into 3 point contests they will come out on top. When they lose, they either get beat up on the glass or physical defenders throw them off their game but they brought in reinforcements with Ghazi, Sej and Yazan. They have a winning formula, they just need a changeup when the game goes in a different direction.

If any part of your gameplan against Tulkarem involves winning in the paint, you need a new plan. On one end, Mana and Hassan Farhat will be towering in the paint and on the other, any extra help will give the space for Moayad and Elias to go downhill. Defensively, It’s a perfect fit with the rest of the team as the pressure defense by Elias and Khaled can rest comfortably knowing they have help behind. On offense, their ceiling will depend on if they can pivot against teams they cannot overpower down the middle. This team could use some variety in attacking from the wings and using each other for driving lanes instead of taking turns attacking alone. Maybe the addition of Anas will provide that spark.

Tiberias is very comfortable winning from the perimeter, which is a good thing going up against Tulkarem. They’ll have to overcome Tulkarem’s physicality, though, and my coin flip guess is they won’t be able to pull it off.

Tulkarem by 1