New Jersey (North): Beirut (D2)

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Power Ranking By Week
WEEK RECORD RANK COMMENTS
Week 8 6-2 2
Beirut delivered one of the strongest bounce-back wins of the week, taking down Mombasa 70–66 and jumping right back into the top tier conversation. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani steadied the backcourt and kept the group composed late, while Towfeek Hamzeh helped organize the offense when Mombasa tried to turn the game into a physical grind. Khalid Itani was huge inside with an efficient double-double, giving Beirut the toughness and finishing they needed around the rim, and Joseph Ciringione stretched the floor with excellent shooting from three. They trusted their spacing, got timely stops, and showed they can win a playoff-style game against one of the league's most physical teams.
Week 7 5-2 9
Beirut takes a hard slide after the 48–37 loss to Gaza, mainly because the offense never found a comfortable rhythm. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani still gives them elite guard control but struggled mightily with his shooting, Towfeek Hamzeh tried to settle the group, and Khalid Itani battled through the physicality inside. Gaza dragged them into a possession-by-possession mud fight, and Beirut could not generate enough clean looks or second-chance answers. This does not erase their résumé, but it does highlight the next test: can they score efficiently when a defense takes away rhythm and pace?
Week 6 5-1 3
Beirut stays at 5–1 after the forfeit win over Dhaka, so the result helps the record even if it does not add much fresh on-court evidence. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani still gives them elite guard control, Towfeek Hamzeh keeps the group organized, and Khalid Itani / Ahmad Asfour remain key pieces when games get physical inside. The slight slide is not about doubt — it is about the teams around them earning louder Week 6 wins on the floor. Beirut’s résumé is still strong, but the next statement has to come in live action: disciplined half-court offense, connected defense, and the same late-game composure that pushed them to the top last week.
Week 5 4-1 1
 
Game of the Week win, and it was earned: 63–59 over Islamabad. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani gave Beirut the guard control they needed, Towfeek Hamzeh kept the possessions organized, and Khalid Itani / Ahmad Asfour helped them survive the physical stretches inside. The difference from earlier close games is that Beirut finished the job — they absorbed Islamabad’s runs, got enough stops late, and now have a real top-line résumé win.
Week 4 3-1 5

71–41 over Kabul, and they looked like a team that knows exactly what it wants. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani controlled the backcourt pace, and Towfeek Hamzeh had them in the right spots all night (near triple-double type impact). The group shared it early to avoid the “my turn / your turn” traps. With Khalid Itani in the lineup, Beirut’s structure and confidence make them a tough out for anyone in the top half.
Week 3 2-1 6

Offensive explosion: 98–72 over Istanbul, and it wasn’t a fluke — it was pace, spacing, and confidence. Shafic “IKONIK” Itani went nuclear (57) and controlled the game like it was scripted, while Coach Towfeek Hamzeh had them in the right spots all night. Beirut’s guards pushed tempo and their interior touches kept the defense honest. If they defend with the same urgency they score with, they’re going to keep climbing.
Week 2 1-1 10

Beirut dropped a close one to Damascus (62–64) and will feel like they let a winnable game slip. Captain Shafic Itani had them competing, and with Coach Towfeek Hamzeh trying to steady the pace, they were right there late. The next step is cleaner execution down the stretch — plus more consistent interior production from Ahmad Asfour — to avoid these one-possession losses. Still a solid team, but now firmly in the pack.
Week 1 1-0 7
 
Beirut got a professional win over Lahore (67–60). Captain Shafic Itani had them under control — and between Coach Towfeek Hamzeh setting the tone and Shafic keeping the backcourt steady, they looked like a team that knows exactly what it wants. If Ahmad Asfour keeps giving them interior production, they’re a real dark-horse climber.
Preseason 0-0 9
A balanced, well-coached group led by Towfeek Hamzeh, with enough shot-making to hang with anyone. If the guard play (Shafic Itani and Coach Towfeek) controls the pace and they get consistent interior production from Khalid Itani, Beirut has real dark-horse potential to climb early.