Aida Bakhos
TOULOUSE, FRANCE
4/19/2018
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut star guard, Aida Bakhos (178-G-86, college: Lamar), will join the 2018 Liga Mediterranean Cup in Toulouse, France. Bakhos will join the Chabibeh Sporting Club as the representative team for Lebanon in this high-level European Cup.
Bakhos is no stranger to FIBA competition in Europe. This season Lebanon power club, Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut, joined the EEWBL for the first time. The club impressed the world advancing to the playoffs of the EEWBL. After a very successful season, Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut then went on to win the WABA tournament where Bakhos was the top rebounder with over 10 per contest.
She will join Kristina King (180-G-92, college: Richmond) in the backcourt with Chabibeh in hopes to make an impression in France. With an unlimited import rule in this French Cup, the Lebanese club will need all the talent they can get.
"It's a very exciting time for the country,' said Head Coach J.D. Barnes . 'The level of play in France ranks in the top three of Europe. I am very excited to see how our team competes in such a great event.'
Chabibeh will play Malta, the home favorite Toulouse MB, and the Atlanta Legends (USA) on their road to the championship.
"For me adding a player like Aida is super important,' said Barnes. I respect Riyadi so much for allowing her to play in this event. She is one of the players I grew to love in the WLBL.
Chabibeh has added some top talent for this event including Asia Logan (184-F-92, college: Pittsburgh), Kristina King, Khadijiah Cave (190-C-95, college: Baylor), and Tori Waldner (196-F/C-93, college: Penn St.) who have all signed as imports for the Lebanese club. It's safe to say that with the addisiton of Bakhos, Coach Barnes main focus is on defense.
Aida Bakhos has played nine (9) seasons in the WLBL. In her time she has won an impressive six (6) championships and four (4) medals. She has been named to the Lebanese National Team multiple times along with 2018 All-Star selections.
She attended Lamar University in 2008 becoming the first Lebanese-born player to start at a NCAA Division 1 program.
