Elie Mechantaf
Encyclopedia
Elie Mechantaf is a retired Lebanese international basketball player. He started his basketball career in the Cypriot Basketball League, before becoming the captain of the Lebanese Hekmeh BC (Sagesse) basketball club, a leading club of the Lebanese Basketball League
for more than ten years, wining the Lebanese Championship for 6 consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2004. Mechantaf was also the team captain of the Lebanon National Basketball Team
from 2000 to 2006, also taking part in the 2002 FIBA World Championship
in Indianapolis
. He retired in 2008.
where he lived a whole year.
Back in Beirut, he studied at College CIT for 2 years. Then he joined Notre Dame University – Louaize (NDU) for one semester, after which he went to Cyprus playing basketball professionally, starting with EPA Larnaca
, Cyprus, in second division, alongside another Lebanese player, Fouad Abou Chacra. He also studied Business Administration at Intercollege Cyprus
.
After graduation, he returned to Lebanon and became a player in Amal Bikfaya (in Arabic
العمل بكفيا) in 1993. In 1994 he became the captain of Hekmeh BC (also known as Sagesse]] (in Arabic
نادي الحكمة) winning the Lebanese National Championship, becoming hugely popular. His pan-Arab fame came when Sagesse won the PAN-Arabia Club Championship. In 1999, the FLB (Federation Libanaise de Basketball) formed the Lebanese National Basketball Team
, where Mechantaf started as the captain of the national side. Mechantaf took part in the 2002 Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis. He was excluded from the national team in 2006 World Championship in Japan due to alleged doping. He continued playing with Hekmeh
until 2007, when he signed with Champville SC
becoming the captain of the team. He returned to Hekmeh for a final season in 2008 before retiring.
Lebanese Basketball League
The Lebanese Basketball League or FLB League or BANKMED FLB League is the top basketball league in Lebanon and one of the top leagues in Asia. It is organised annually as a national championship with playoffs and a national cup by the Lebanese Basketball Federation . The Men Division A made up of...
for more than ten years, wining the Lebanese Championship for 6 consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2004. Mechantaf was also the team captain of the Lebanon National Basketball Team
Lebanon national basketball team
The Lebanon national basketball team is the basketball team representing Lebanon in international competitions.-History:The first time basketball was ever played in Lebanon was in the mid-1920s in the American University of Beirut...
from 2000 to 2006, also taking part in the 2002 FIBA World Championship
2002 FIBA World Championship
The 2002 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball tournament held by the International Basketball Federation in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from August 29 to September 8, 2002.-Venues:-Squads:...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He retired in 2008.
Career
Mechantaf was born in Abra (East Saida), the son of Rafiq and Samia Mechantaf. He studied in the South in Saidoun High School, then moved to Beirut and later to ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
where he lived a whole year.
Back in Beirut, he studied at College CIT for 2 years. Then he joined Notre Dame University – Louaize (NDU) for one semester, after which he went to Cyprus playing basketball professionally, starting with EPA Larnaca
EPA Larnaca FC
EPA Larnaca was a Cypriot football club based in the city of Larnaca. Founded in 1930 with the merge of two local clubs, Pezoporikos and AMOL, the club was a founding member of Cyprus Football Association and participated in the first Cypriot Championship in 1934/35. Few years later, Pezoporikos...
, Cyprus, in second division, alongside another Lebanese player, Fouad Abou Chacra. He also studied Business Administration at Intercollege Cyprus
University of Nicosia
The University of Nicosia is the largest private university in Cyprus, with campuses based in the three largest cities in Cyprus: Nicosia, Lemesos and Larnaca. It was formally known, until September 2007, as Intercollege...
.
After graduation, he returned to Lebanon and became a player in Amal Bikfaya (in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
العمل بكفيا) in 1993. In 1994 he became the captain of Hekmeh BC (also known as Sagesse]] (in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
نادي الحكمة) winning the Lebanese National Championship, becoming hugely popular. His pan-Arab fame came when Sagesse won the PAN-Arabia Club Championship. In 1999, the FLB (Federation Libanaise de Basketball) formed the Lebanese National Basketball Team
Lebanon national basketball team
The Lebanon national basketball team is the basketball team representing Lebanon in international competitions.-History:The first time basketball was ever played in Lebanon was in the mid-1920s in the American University of Beirut...
, where Mechantaf started as the captain of the national side. Mechantaf took part in the 2002 Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis. He was excluded from the national team in 2006 World Championship in Japan due to alleged doping. He continued playing with Hekmeh
Hekmeh
Hekmeh SC, or Hekmeh Sports Club also known by its French synonym Sagesse or Club Sagesse or Club Sportif Sagesse is a multi-sports club in Lebanon....
until 2007, when he signed with Champville SC
Champville SC
Champville SC or Champville Maristes Sports and Basketball Club Champville SC competes in the Lebanese Basketball League 1st division.-History:* Lebanese League Semifinals -02, 06, 07* Lebanese Cup Winner -04, 10...
becoming the captain of the team. He returned to Hekmeh for a final season in 2008 before retiring.
Records and accolades
- 1996-2002 Lebanese Championship MVP (most valuable player)
- 2000-2003 Lebanon Cup MIP (most improved player)
- 1996, 1998, 2000 Best Arab Player
- 1999, 2001 Best Asian Player