Norvel Pelle

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Norvel Pelle

| image = Norvel Pelle.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Pelle with Pallacanestro Varese in 2016

| position = Center

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 10

| weight_lb = 231

| league = NBL1 South

| team = Knox Raiders

| number = 6

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|3}}

| birth_place = St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

| nationality = American / Antiguan / Lebanese

| high_school =

| draft_year = 2014

| career_start = 2013

| years1 = 2013–2014

| team1 = Delaware 87ers

| years2 = 2014–2015

| team2 = Dacin Tigers

| years3 = 2015

| team3 = Delaware 87ers

| years4 = 2015–2016

| team4 = Homenetmen

| years5 = 2016–2018

| team5 = Varese

| years6 = 2018

| team6 = Auxilium Torino

| years7 = 2018–2019

| team7 = Delaware 87ers

| years8 = 2019

| team8 = Homenetmen

| years9 = {{nbay|2019|full=y}}

| team9 = Philadelphia 76ers

| years10 = 2019–2020

| team10 = →Delaware Blue Coats

| years11 = {{nbay|2020|end}}

| team11 = Brooklyn Nets

| years12 = 2021

| team12 = Canton Charge

| years13 = {{nbay|2020|end}}

| team13 = Sacramento Kings

| years14 = {{nbay|2020|end}}

| team14 = New York Knicks

| years15 = 2021–2022

| team15 = Cleveland Charge

| years16 = {{nbay|2021|end}}

| team16 = Utah Jazz

| years17 = 2022

| team17 = Cleveland Charge

| years18 = 2022–2023

| team18 = Fort Wayne Mad Ants

| years19 = 2023–2024

| team19 = Shahrdari Gorgan

| years20 = 2024–2025

| team20 = Beirut Club

| years21 = 2025–present

| team21 = Knox Raiders

| highlights =

NBA G League All-Defensive Team (2019)
Italian LBA Blocks Leader (2017)
Basketball Champions League Blocks Leader (2017)
Lebanese Basketball League Blocks Leader (2016)
Lebanese Basketball League Rebounding Leader (2016)
Super Basketball League All-Star (2015)

}}

Norvel Pelle Jr. (born February 3, 1993) is a Lebanese-Antiguan professional basketball player for Knox Raiders of the NBL1 South. A {{convert|6|ft|10|in|adj=on}}, {{convert|231|lb|adj=on}} center, he played at three different high schools in the Los Angeles area and was ranked as one of the top recruits in his class. He was prohibited from competing in college after failing to meet academic requirements, choosing to immediately turn professional in 2013.

Pelle spent his rookie year with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League. He then moved to the Dacin Tigers in Taiwan, where he was named an All-Star, and returned to the 87ers at the end of the season. In 2015, Pelle joined Lebanese club Homenetmen Beirut, leading the league in blocks. In the next season, he began a two-year stint with Pallacanestro Varese in Italy, closing the 2017–18 season with Auxilium Torino. Pelle has played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz.

He holds Antiguan, American, and Lebanese citizenship, and has experience with the Lebanon national basketball team.

Early life

Pelle was born in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, to Norvel Sr. and Darlene Pelle.{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle |url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/76716/pid2/100464/sid/8110/tid/317/tid2/239/_/2017_FIBA_Asia_Cup/index.html |publisher=FIBA |access-date=July 25, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Bolch |first1=Ben |title=Long Beach's Norvel Pelle keeps NBA dream alive as draft approaches |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nba-draft-20140621-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 25, 2018 |date=June 20, 2014}} When Pelle was three years old, his family moved to Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands, and when he was seven, they moved to United States for better work opportunities. His father was a welder, while his mother managed the garden center at a Home Depot store.

High school career

In his freshman season, Pelle played basketball for Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, where he was touted as one of the top recruits in his class.{{cite web |title=Back With A Purpose |url=https://www.slamonline.com/nba/norvel-pelle-back-with-a-purpose/ |website=Slam |access-date=July 25, 2018 |date=June 6, 2013}} His school was located near his family's residence in Long Beach, California. As a sophomore, Pelle transferred to Manuel Dominguez High School in Compton, California, playing under head coach Duane Cooper.{{cite web |title=Duane Cooper is out at Dominguez; Norvel Pelle to transfer |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2009/07/boys-basketball-cooper-is-out-at-dominguez-pelle-to-transfer.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 26, 2018 |date=July 22, 2009}} After Cooper was dismissed from the team, Pelle revealed plans to move to a different high school program.{{cite web |last1=Pugmire |first1=Lance |title=Duane Cooper won't return as Dominguez boys' basketball coach |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-23-sp-compton-dominguez23-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 26, 2018 |date=July 23, 2009}} He moved to Frederick K. C. Price High School in Los Angeles but was sidelined for his junior season due to transfer rules. Despite his absence, the team won the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA championship, led by Allen Crabbe and Richard Solomon.{{cite web |last1=Ceglinsky |first1=Sean |title=Price's Norvel Pelle draws plenty of attention |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles/preps/post/_/id/5975 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=October 16, 2019 |date=February 1, 2011}} With three games left in his senior campaign, Pelle was averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game.

In his high school career, Pelle was ranked as high as the No. 1 center in his class by recruiting service Rivals. He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports.{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Norvel-Pelle-668/ |publisher=247Sports |access-date=July 27, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/61888/norvel-pelle |publisher=ESPN |access-date=July 27, 2018}} Despite his success on the court, he struggled in the classroom, achieving only a 2.6 grade-point average and failing to meet college entrance exam requirements two times. After joining St. John's at the NCAA Division I level, he was ruled ineligible for taking summer classes at Northeast Preparatory School in Philadelphia.{{cite web |last1=Castillo |first1=Jorge |title=An Early Setback for St. John's |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/sports/ncaabasketball/3-st-johns-basketball-recruits-are-ruled-ineligible.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=September 16, 2011}} He decommitted from the program, signing a letter of intent with Iona, but was again ruled academically ineligible.{{cite web |last1=Bontemps |first1=Tim |title=Unable to qualify at St. John's and Iona, Pelle sets sights on NBA |url=https://nypost.com/2013/05/23/unable-to-qualify-at-st-johns-and-iona-pelle-sets-sights-on-nba/ |website=New York Post |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=May 23, 2013}} He then played for Los Angeles College Preparatory Academy.{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle hopes to take road less traveled to NBA |url=https://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/norvel-pelle-hopes-to-take-road-less-traveled-to-nba-052013 |work=Fox Sports |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=May 20, 2013}}

Professional career

=Delaware 87ers (2013–2014)=

After ultimately skipping college, Pelle entered the 2013 NBA draft, attempting to become the first draftee without college or international experience since 2005. However, he withdrew days prior because of severe blisters and warts on his foot that had to be surgically removed.{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Bolch|title=Norvel Pelle withdraws from NBA draft over foot issue|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-jun-17-la-sp-sn-norvel-pelle-withdraws-from-nba-draft-over-foot-issue-20130617-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=June 17, 2013|access-date=July 27, 2018}} Later in the year, he was selected as the sixth overall pick at the 2013 NBA Development League draft by the Delaware 87ers.{{cite web|first=Eliot|last=Shorr-Parks|title=Norvel Pelle, Aquille Carr taken by Delaware 87ers in D-League draft|url=https://www.nj.com/sixers/index.ssf/2013/11/norvel_pelle_take_by_delaware.html|website=NO.com|publisher=NJ|date=November 1, 2013|access-date=July 27, 2018}} In the 2013–14 season with the 87ers, Pelle averaged 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle Player Profile|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Norvel-Pelle/Summary/24214|website=RealGM.com|access-date=July 27, 2018}} He scored a season-high 18 points on December 11, 2013, against the Idaho Stampede.{{cite web|title=Dec 11, 2013: Idaho 127, Delaware 108|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/boxscore/2013-12-11/Idaho-at-Delaware/143205|website=RealGM.com|date=December 11, 2013|access-date=July 27, 2018}}

=Dacin Tigers (2014–2015)=

On July 29, 2014, Pelle signed with the Dacin Tigers of the Taiwanese Super Basketball League (SBL).{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle Signs With Dacin Tigers Of Taiwan|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/234463/Norvel-Pelle-Signs-With-Dacin-Tigers-Of-Taiwan|website=RealGM.com|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2018}} In 30 games with the team, he averaged 15.3 points and 14.2 rebounds.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle signed by Openjobmetis Varese|url=https://www.court-side.com/news/norvel-pelle-signed-by-openjobmetis-varese/|website=Court-Side.com|publisher=Court-Side|date=July 29, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2018}} Pelle had a notable performance in December 2014 versus Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Basketball, posting a double-double of 27 points and 26 rebounds.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle gets MVP of the Week award for Taiwanese SBL|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Taiwan/news/386914/Norvel-Pelle-gets-MVP-of-the-Week-award-for-Taiwanese-SBL|website=Asia-Basket.com|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2018}} He was named to the SBL All-Star Game and earned All-SBL honorable mention accolades from basketball website Asia-Basket.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle basketball profile|url=https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Norvel_Pelle/Openjobmetis_Varese/233033|website=Eurobasket.com|access-date=July 27, 2018}}

=Return to the 87ers (2015)=

On March 10, 2015, Pelle returned to the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League but played only four games in the 2014–15 season. His best performance came on March 20 against the Erie BayHawks, recording 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.{{cite web|title=Mar 20, 2015 – Erie 128, Delaware 118|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/boxscore/2015-03-20/Erie-at-Delaware/193942|website=RealGM.com|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2018}} He averaged 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

=Homenetmen Beirut (2015–2016)=

On December 14, 2015, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle agreed terms with Homenetmen Beirut|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Lebanon/news/431425/Former-players:-Norvel-Pelle-agreed-terms-with-Homenetmen-Beirut|website=Asia-Basket.com|date=December 14, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2018}} On January 20, 2016, Pelle only scored 3 points but grabbed 23 rebounds in a 96–88 win over the Al Moutahed.{{cite web|title=Homenetmen Beirut 96 - Al Moutahed 88|url=https://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Lebanon/2016/0120_2682_8488.asp|website=EuroBasket.com|date=January 20, 2016|access-date=July 13, 2020}} After 32 games, he averaged 11.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, and a league-high 2.9 blocks per game.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle|url=http://www.pallacanestrovarese.it/en/squadra/roster/norvel-pelle/|website=PallacanestroVarese.it|publisher=Pallacanestro Varese|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191148/http://www.pallacanestrovarese.it/en/squadra/roster/norvel-pelle/|url-status=dead}}

Pelle joined the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) at the 2016 Orlando Pro Summer League.

=Varese (2016–2018)=

File:Norvel Pelle Varese (cropped).jpg in May 2017|200px]]

On July 28, 2016, Pelle signed a two-year contract with Pallacanestro Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA).{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle, a new signing for Openjobmetis|url=http://www.pallacanestrovarese.it/en/norvel-pelle-nuova-firma-per-la-openjobmetis/|website=PallacanestroVarese.it|publisher=Pallacanestro Varese|date=July 28, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426150844/http://www.pallacanestrovarese.it/en/norvel-pelle-nuova-firma-per-la-openjobmetis/|url-status=dead}} Upon his arrival, head coach Paolo Moretti said, "The qualities of Pelle that have most impressed me are his explosive strength, aggressiveness and athleticism."

Pelle played for the Miami Heat at the 2017 NBA Summer League in both Orlando and Las Vegas.

=Auxilium Torino (2018)=

On February 13, 2018, Pelle signed with Auxilium Pallacanestro Torino for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle moves to Torino|url=https://www.court-side.com/news/norvel-pelle-moves-torino/|website=Court-Side.com|publisher=Court-Side|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2018}}

=Delaware Blue Coats (2018–2019)=

After the season concluded, Pelle competed for the Philadelphia 76ers at 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game through five contests. He later joined the 76ers for training camp.{{cite web|title=Team Signs Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-signs-pelle|website=NBA.com|access-date=August 3, 2018|date=August 3, 2018}} On October 10, 2018, Pelle was waived.{{cite web|title=In corresponding moves, the team has waived Anthony Brown and Norvel Pelle.|url=https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1050133250973286406|website=Philadelphia 76ers on Twitter|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018}} He signed with the Delaware Blue Coats for their training camp roster.{{cite web|title=Blue Coats Announce Training Camp Roster and Schedule|url=https://bluecoats.gleague.nba.com/news/blue-coats-announce-training-camp-roster-and-schedule/|website=NBA.com|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=October 27, 2018|archive-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027232036/https://bluecoats.gleague.nba.com/news/blue-coats-announce-training-camp-roster-and-schedule/|url-status=dead}} On January 23, 2019, Pelle was suspended for five games without pay for violating the G League's Anti-Drug program.{{cite web|title=Delaware Blue Coats' Norvel Pelle Suspended|url=https://gleague.nba.com/news/delaware-blue-coats-norvel-pelle-suspended/|website=NBA.com|date=January 23, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2019}}

=Homenetmen Beirut (2019)=

On March 30, 2019, Pelle signed with Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|first=Nicola|last=Lupo|title=Norvel Pelle signs with Homenetmen Beirut|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/norvel-pelle-signs-with-homenetmen-beirut/|website=Sportando.basketball|date=March 30, 2019|access-date=March 30, 2019}}

=Philadelphia 76ers (2019–2020)=

On July 2, 2019, Pelle signed with the Philadelphia 76ers with a two-way contract.{{cite web|title=Pelle Signed to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/pelle-signed-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=July 2, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019}} On February 7, 2020, his deal was converted to a standard contract.{{cite web|title=Team Signs Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-signs-pelle-0|work=NBA.com|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2020}}

=Canton Charge (2021)=

On December 19, 2020, Pelle was signed and then waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{cite web|title=Cavaliers Waive Three Players, Convert Marques Bolden to Two-Way Contract and Sign Norvel Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/signings-201219|website=NBA.com|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Cavaliers Waive Norvel Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/pelle-201219|website=NBA.com|date=December 19, 2020|access-date=January 29, 2021}}

On January 22, 2021, Pelle was included in roster of the Canton Charge.{{cite web|title=Charge Announce 2021 Roster|url=https://canton.gleague.nba.com/news/charge-announce-2021-roster|website=NBA.com|date=January 22, 2021|access-date=January 22, 2021}}

=Brooklyn Nets (2021)=

On January 28, 2021, Pelle signed with the Brooklyn Nets,{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets Sign Norvel Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2021/01/28/brooklyn-nets-sign-norvel-pelle|website=NBA.com|date=January 28, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2021}} but was later waived by the Nets on February 16 after appearing in three games.{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets Waive Norvel Pelle|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2021/02/16/brooklyn-nets-waive-norvel-pelle|website=NBA.com|date=February 16, 2021|access-date=February 16, 2021}}

=Return to the Charge (2021)=

Pelle was officially re-acquired by the Canton Charge on February 21, 2021.{{cite web|title=Norvel Pelle Rejoins Charge|url=https://canton.gleague.nba.com/news/norvel-pelle-rejoins-charge|website=NBA.com|date=February 21, 2021|access-date=February 21, 2021}}

=Sacramento Kings (2021)=

On February 25, 2021, Pelle signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings.{{cite web|title=Kings Sign Norvel Pelle to 10-Day Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/kings-sign-norvel-pelle-10-day-contract|website=NBA.com|date=February 25, 2021|access-date=February 25, 2021}}

=New York Knicks (2021)=

On April 2, 2021, Pelle signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.{{cite tweet|user=NY_KnicksPR|number=1378175680672890882|title=@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle|date=April 2, 2021|access-date=April 2, 2021}} On April 12, he signed a second 10-day contract.{{cite tweet|user=NY_KnicksPR|number=1381608100344516608|title=@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle to Second 10-Day Contract|date=April 12, 2021|access-date=April 15, 2021}} On April 22, Pelle signed a multi-year deal with the Knicks.{{cite tweet|user=NY_KnicksPR|number=1385305071232167938|title=@nyknicks Sign Norvel Pelle|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2021}} On July 31, the Knicks waived Pelle.{{cite tweet|user=NY_KnicksPR|number=1421591491680612355|title=Knicks exercised team option on center Mitchell Robinson and waived center Norvel Pelle.|date=July 31, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021}}

=Third stint with the Charge (2021)=

On November 15, 2021, Pelle signed with the Cleveland Charge as a returning player.{{cite web|title=Charge Acquire Norvel Pelle As Returning Player|url=https://canton.gleague.nba.com/news/charge-acquire-norvel-pelle-as-returning-player/|website=NBA.com|date=November 15, 2021|access-date=November 15, 2021}}

On December 25, 2021, Pelle was signed to a 10-day contract by the Boston Celtics.{{cite tweet|author=Boston Celtics|number=1474777910292754432|title=We have signed 10-year NBA veteran Al-Farouq Aminu and center Norvel Pelle to 10-day contracts.|user=celtics|date=December 25, 2021|access-date=December 26, 2021}} However, he never played a game for Boston.

=Utah Jazz (2022)=

On January 7, 2022, the Utah Jazz signed Pelle to a 10-day contact.{{cite web|url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2022/01/07/utah-jazz-sign-norvel/|title=Utah Jazz sign Norvel Pelle|website=sltrib.com|date=January 7, 2022|access-date=January 7, 2022}} He appeared in three games for the Jazz.

=Fourth stint with the Charge (2022)=

On January 20, 2022, the Cleveland Charge announced that they reacquired Pelle after his 10-day contract with the Jazz finished.{{Cite web|url=https://canton.gleague.nba.com/news/norvel-pelle-rejoins-charge-2/|title=Norvel Pelle Rejoins Charge|website=Charge Basketball}}

=Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2022–2023)=

During the 2022 NBA preseason, Pelle spent time with the Portland Trail Blazers{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/.amp/news/the-portland-trail-blazers-are-signing-norvel-pelle-to-a-training-camp-contract-nba|title=The Portland Trail Blazers Have Signed A New Player|website=SI.com|language=en|date=August 4, 2022}} and the Indiana Pacers.{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle Player Profile, Indiana Pacers - RealGM |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Norvel-Pelle/Summary/24214 |website=basketball.realgm.com |access-date=17 April 2025 |language=en}}

In October 2022, Pelle joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mad-ants-announce-2022-training-camp-roster/n-5892665|website=oursportscentral.com|title=Mad Ants Announce 2022 Training Camp Roster|date=October 24, 2022|access-date=October 24, 2022}} Pelle was traded to the Capitanes de Ciudad de México on February 14, 2023,{{cite web|title=2022-23 NBA G League Transactions|url=https://gleague.nba.com/22-23-nba-g-league-transactions|website=NBA.com|access-date=September 17, 2023}} but didn't play for them.

=Shahrdari Gorgan (2023–2024)=

On September 8, 2023, Pelle signed with Shahrdari Gorgan of the Iranian Basketball Super League.{{cite web|first=Kazem|last=Ghayem|title=Gorgan tabs Norvel Pelle|url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Iran/news/827535/Gorgan-tabs-Norvel-Pelle|website=Asia-Basket.com|date=September 17, 2023|access-date=September 17, 2023}}

=Beirut Club (2024–2025)=

On July 19, 2024, Pelle signed with Beirut Club of the Lebanese Basketball League.{{cite web |title=Beirut Club adds Pelle to their roster |url=https://www.asia-basket.com/Iran/news/882637/Beirut-Club-adds-Pelle-to-their-roster |publisher=Eurobasket.com |access-date=8 September 2024 |date=19 July 2024}}

=Knox Raiders (2025–present)=

In April 2025, Pelle joined the Knox Raiders of the NBL1 South for the 2025 season.{{cite news |title=Knox sign former NBA player |url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/knox-sign-former-nba-player |access-date=17 April 2025 |work=www.nbl1.com.au |date=17 April 2025 |language=en}}

National team career

Pelle is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Lebanon, and the United States but represents Lebanon at the international level.{{cite web |last1=Henson |first1=Joaquin |title=No surprise ending in Lebanon |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/08/21/1731542/no-surprise-ending-lebanon |website=The Philippine Star |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=August 21, 2017}}{{cite web |title=Norvel Pelle |url=https://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/76716/pid2/85175/sid/8110/tid/317/tid2/310/_/2017_FIBA_Asia_Cup/index.html |publisher=FIBA |access-date=July 27, 2018}} He debuted for them at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, averaging 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game, en route to a 6th-place finish. Against the Philippines, he nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks.{{cite web |title=Aug 19, 2017 – Philippines 87, Lebanon 106 |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/national/boxscore/2017-08-19/Philippines-at-Lebanon/271962 |publisher=RealGM |access-date=July 27, 2018 |date=August 19, 2017}} He wears #12 in the Lebanese national team.