Arakji’s NBA Briefcase

I wrote an article about Al Riadi’s future stars about a year ago called Al Riadi’s future is left handedhttp:// https://rambeeni.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/al-riyadis-future-is-left-handed/.  The article featured overviews and interviews with Amir Saoud and Ali Haidar. The story was supposed to include three of Riadi’s players, Wael Arakji (NBA prospect) being the 3rd exciting young lefty.

Unfortunately, Wael was injured at the time and hadn’t been active for a few months. Fast forward a year later and Arakji is on the NBA radar. When I first heard of Wael’s early draft entry, I was amused and felt a glow of possibility followed by a dose of reality. 

The NBA is one of the most difficult professional leagues to break into. Only 60 players are drafted each year and only 30 1st round picks have guaranteed contracts, while the other 30 are acquired by NBA teams without the promise of a roster spot. A 2nd round pick simply means a team has dibs on a certain player, but does not mean this player will make the roster.
This article is for scouts.  As much as I love Wael’s game I will try to be as objective as possible.  I have watched Wael for 4 years, at the pro and school level. I have played pick up with Wael more than 5 times at the American university of Beirut. Here is a short scouting report.

Wael is a composed, well rounded point gaurd, rebounds and finds his temmates and never gives up on a play. He is long and has great defensive prowess. He knows when to help and when to stay at home on defense. At 6’3, he is a point gaurd with above average IQ that loves to break down the defense and almost always makes the right play. Although his shot is known to be lagging compared to his ball penetration and court awarness, he actually does shoot a solid percentage from the mid range and from the corner 3-point shot. The truth is  he waits for better shots.

The NBA is a pick and roll league and he is an expert at finding the defensive weakeness in any set. Arakji is not a glory hunter. He simply makes the right play, be it a weak side skip pass to a shooter, a roll or pop: Arakji surveys and executes. If defenses leave an inch of an opening in the lane, he will find it and finish with care, strength and efficiency.  This is Wael’s greatest skill, his manuesque craftiness to get to the rim. The one glaring weakness is his shot off the dribble.

We can talk basketball all you want, but here are a few things alot of outsiders do not know. Wael has flourished in every pressure situation during his young career. That, along with his skills and size, makes me hopeful that an NBA team will snag Arakji somewhere in the 2nd round. He has no fear, he has zero self doubt. He forgets the bad possessions and carries on. He plays like he expects to improve everyday and he doesn’t settle.

There were two Instances that I will never forget about this player that separate him from other good young players. Last year’s Dubai final that involved a double overtime final thriller between Riadi and arch rivals Sagesse. The stage was set and fans were treated to a shootout of the highest caliber. Sagesse attempted to foul Arakji in overtime multiple times, trying to use his youth against him. The pressure was high and Arakji closed out the double overtime win with ice cold free throws and wanted the ball amongst a team of wily veterans. Another is a regular season game where riadi were facing an improbable loss against a weaker team and had just conceded a corner 3 to put Riadi down 1. With 2 seconds left, Wael sprinted down the court faster than the camera could change direction and drained a last second jumper, no doubt.

What scouts and GMs don’t know and will find out is Wael’s humility.  He is a rising Lebanese star and acts like any other player that loves the game.  He loves being on a team and appreciates the moment.  He has the attitude of a true team player and is gracious with all fans. 
As a high school and college stand out, Wael once scored 74 points, raining 3s and scoring at will. As a pro, fans have not seen scoring outbursts yet, as he has adjusted to play on the best pro team in the region, making him a fresh multiple champion.

Coach Jad Fattouh, who was Arajki’s Riadi’s assistant coach and current Mega Leks’ assistant coach in Serbia goes on to say: “Wael is a talented kid with great work ethics, I think he should start playing and developing at the European level as a first step then we’ll go from there and sky is the limit…”

Current Riadi assistant and long time youth coach Ahmad Farran added that Arakji has “huge chances”. When asked about Wael’s new challenge, Farran added: ” I think he needs to improve his shot and work hard, its his only weakness. He’s a geat pick and roll player with great vision and leadership. His size for his position is ideal and he has gained valuable experience the last 3 yrs with Riyadi.”

My hope and prediction is that Wael should be drafted by an NBA team in the late 2nd round. Teams are not afraid to take a risk there and if these gms have met Wael and seen his play, he will get a shot at a roster. Whatever happens, this experience will only make him stronger and hungrier to move forward.  A young man with purpose and dreams. Talent coupled with hard work, intellect and a basketball body. The NBA is cut throat, but so is Wael when he sees an open seem.

Much love and basketball,
Rambeeni