The FIBA West Asia Super League showcases the finest teams and players from West Asia and the Gulf region. Following the highly successful inaugural season in 2022-23, fans anticipate what the future holds. As the new season begins, discover some of the standout players who are currently shaping the FIBA WASL:
Edgar Sosa (Al Naft)
Edgar Sosa is a 36-year-old Dominican-American professional player who plays for Al-Naft SC in the Iraqi Basketball League. Since his debut in 2010, Sosa has enjoyed a successful career, which is now evident in his prowess on the court.
In 2011, he earned a spot on the Italian Serie A All-Star team and clinched the championship title in the Italian Super Cup in 2014, as well as the Italian Cup and Italian Serie A in 2015. Moreover, his team was the champion of the FIBA Europe Cup in 2018, and most recently, in 2022, he secured a spot on the All-BAL First Team.
Sosa’s excellence extends to the FIBA West Asia Super League. In the league’s first season, he currently holds the top position in player statistics. Sosa has amassed an impressive total of 243 points, the highest among all players. He maintains an average of 34.7 points per game with an impressive 42.3% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
Ali Haidar (Beirut Club)
Ali Haidar, a power forward, plays for the Beirut Club in the Lebanese Basketball League. From 2014 to 2017, Haidar experienced success as his team secured the league championship four times. In 2022, his team also emerged as the Jordanian Premier Basketball League champions, highlighting Haidar’s part in his team’s success.
Haidar occupies the sixth position on the player leaderboard in the FIBA West Asia Super League, with 133 points throughout the first season. He averaged 19.0 points per game, with a 20% shooting percentage and a 68% free throw percentage. Haidar is undoubtedly a player worth keeping an eye on in the upcoming seasons of the FIBA WASL.
Antwaine Wiggins (Al Naft)
Antwaine Wiggins, Al-Naft SC’s small forward, is a key player in the Iraqi Basketball League alongside Edgar Sosa. Known for his versatility on the court, Wiggins thrived in various positions including shooting guard and power forward. At 35, Wiggins enjoyed huge success, with numerous titles to his name.
In 2017, Wiggins attained the title of NBA D-League Champion while playing for another team. His success carried on when he joined Al-Naft in 2022. In 2023, he was honoured with the titles of Iraqi League Best Defender and MVP, contributing to his team’s success as the overall champion of the Iraqi League.
Wiggins stands alongside Sosa on the player leaderboard in the FIBA WASL. In seven games, Wiggins has maintained an average of 26.1 points per game, accumulating a total of 183 points throughout the first season of the FIBA WASL. Notably, his three-point shooting percentage stands at 46.5%, slightly surpassing Sosa’s.
Sajjad Mashayekhi (Zob Ahan)
Sajjad Mashayekhi is an Iranian professional player playing for Zob Ahan Isfahan BC. He has also represented the Iranian national basketball team, solidifying his presence on the international stage. He won gold medals at the Asian Cup in Tokyo 2012, Wuhan 2014, and Tehran 2016. He has also played in prestigious tournaments such as the William Jones Cup, Asian Cup, and Asian Games.
Mashayekhi showcased his prowess in the FIBA West Asia Super League by climbing to the eighth position on the player leaderboard. Throughout the nine games he played, Mashayekhi had 170 points, averaging 18.9 points per game. His three-point shooting percentage stands at 22.5%, while his free throw percentage is 71.1%.
As you can see, the NBA isn’t the only basketball league in the world with its own talented players!
