HESI U17 TOP 30: The Best Hoopers in the MENA (30-26)

The Middle East and North Africa region have a lot of unseen high-quality hoopers. Here we will give you the top 30 basketball players in the MENA Region according to their Regional, Continental and International competitions with their respective teams.

#30 Ray Abousleiman

#
72
Name
Ray Abousleiman
Nationality
libLebanon
Position
Defencive Minded, Forward-Guard
Player Ratings
73
Class
2025
Height
6'2"
Current Team
Lebanon National Team U16
Leagues
WABA U16 Championships
Seasons
2022
Birthday
May 10, 2022
Age
1

Ray is the go-to perimeter defender for the Lebanese side. Through the WABA, Asia, and World Cup Championships, Ray has been tasked with guarding the best player on the opposite team. Ray has a knack for stealing the ball and blocking and altering shots. Ray on offence does all the little things you need from your energy guy. Coaches should look to add him if they’re looking for a dog defensive mentality that doesn’t quit on a play.

WABA U16 Championships

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
2022Lebanon National Team U1645.45533.3336.02.81.00.31.800
Total-45.45533.3336.02.81.00.31.800

#29 Jean Paul El Shamee

#
5
Name
Jean Al Shami
Nationality
libLebanon
Position
Shot Blocker, Forward-Center
Player Ratings
75
Class
2025
Height
6'8"
Current Team
Lebanon National Team U16
Leagues
WABA U16 Championships
Seasons
2022
Birthday
May 13, 2022
Age
1

Jean is a 6’8 forward that plays his role to perfection. Jean’s ability to grab rebounds on both ends proved valuable to the Lebanese side through their summer FIBA competition run. Under the right coaching, Jean can turn into a valuable piece of a high-performing team. By refining his touch around the paint area and increasing his physicality he might turn into the X factor to any team that he plays for and a nightmare for opposing teams.

WABA U16 Championships

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
2022Lebanon National Team U1666.66707.35.00.50.31.500
Total-66.66707.35.00.50.31.500

#28 Alie El Deen Diasty

#
15
Name
Alieldeen Wessam ElDiasty
Nationality
egyEgypt
Position
Forward-Guard
Player Ratings
77
Class
2025
Height
6'0"
Current Team
U16 Egypt National Team
Past Teams
El Ettehad
Leagues
U16 Africa Championship, U17 World Cup
Seasons
2021, 2022
Birthday
June 5, 2005
Age
18

The spark plug for the Egyptian side, Alie is a dog on defence and a go-getter on offence. Alie grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, the most offensive rebound among guards in the 2021 African Championships. He’s also an efficient scorer averaging 63% FG off the bench. Alie is the type of player to provide you with a little bit of everything at an efficient level while being a spark plug and an energy boost for the team. Teammates enjoy playing with him because of his great attitude.

U16 Africa Championship

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
2021U16 Egypt National Team62.709.33.82.81.10.511.562.5
Total-000000000

U17 World Cup

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
2022U16 Egypt National Team000000000
Total-000000000

#27 Moustapha Ndao

#
19
Name
Moustapha Ndao
Nationality
qatQatar
Position
Combo Forward
Player Ratings
74
Class
2025
Height
6'2"
Current Team
Qatar National Team U16
Leagues
U16 Asian Championships
Seasons
2022
Birthday
June 23, 2022
Age
1

The forward out of Qatar shows the potential at becoming a solid scorer and distributor. He is able to score from multiple positions on the floor. While he needs to polish his shooting beyond the arc he has a knack for putting the ball through the hoop. Moustapha is very skilled at attacking the pick and roll resulting in either a bucket or an assist. He’s very dependable on defence averaging 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks respectively.

U16 Asian Championships

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
Total-31.0340.00011.83.02.31.51.300

#26 Bryan Saleh

#
23
Name
Bryan Saleh
Nationality
libLebanon
Position
Center
Player Ratings
75.5
Class
2025
Height
6'7"
Current Team
Lebanon National Team U16
Leagues
WABA U16 Championships
Seasons
2022
Birthday
May 10, 2022
Age
1

Bryan Saleh is a promising prospect with a clean shooting form that needs to be utilized more. Saleh’s 6’7″ frame is ideal in modern basketball and under the right leadership can transform into a lethal wing player. Saleh still has some work to build his ball-handling, post game, and overall physicality

WABA U16 Championships

SeasonTeamFG%3P%PPGRPGAPGSPGBPGEFFFT%
2022Lebanon National Team U1650.00014.2866.55.00.51.00.500
Total-50.00014.2866.55.00.51.00.500

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