Wael Arakji

Wael Arakji (; born 4 September 1994) is a Lebanese basketball player for Al Riyadi of the Lebanese Basketball League. He is nicknamed "the Fearsome" . Arakji caught the eye of head coach of Al Riyadi Beirut, Slobodan Subotić, following his performances with Lebanon at the 2012 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship. In 2015 he declared for the NBA draft, but was not selected. During that five-game stint, he averaged 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.4 steals. In 2019, he got an opportunity to play for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League.

On 20 January 2020, Arakji signed with Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association. On 7 February 2020, Arakji signed with Al-Shamal of the Qatari Basketball League. On 15 July 2020, Arakji re-signed with Al-Shamal. Arakji helped Al-Shamal win the Qatari Basketball League. He started the 2020–21 season with the same club and helped them reach the final of the league averaging 26.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 14 games. Arakji won the Championnat National A with US Monastir, and reached the final of the Basketball Africa League. He was named to the 2021 All-BAL First Team.

On 2 June 2021, Arakji signed with Al-Shamal. On 10 August 2021, Arakji signed with Al-Jahra in Kuwait. On 6 March 2022, Arakji signed with Beirut Club for his return to the Lebanese Basketball League after three years. He helped Beirut win the championship, after defeating his former club Al Riyadi Beirut in the final. On 15 June 2024, Arakji and Al Riyadi won the 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia, his second continental championship. He had a tournament-high 31 points and 9 assists in the final against Shabab Al Ahli.

On 18 October 2024, Arakji signed with Al-Arabi of the Qatari Basketball League. On 10 December, Arakji signed with Dubai Basketball of the ABA League. On 8 January 2025, he parted ways with the team, returned to the Al Riyadi.

In the 2024–25 season, Arakji won the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) and was named the league's MVP. In July 2025, Arakji along with his Al Riyadi teammate Thon Maker joined Saudi Basketball League side Al-Ula.

National team career In 2012, Arakji made his debut by helping Lebanon finish in seventh place at the 2012 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship. He also finished runner-up of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup as the tournament's MVP and top scorer, with an average of 26.0 points per game.

He played with the national team in 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Awards and accomplishments Al Riyadi Beirut FIBA Asia Champions Cup: (2017, 2024 ) FIBA West Asia Super League: (2024, 2025) 7x Lebanese Basketball League: (2014,2015,2016,2017,2019,2023,2024)

US Monastir Championnat National A: 2021

Al-Shamal Qatari Basketball League: 2020

Beirut Club Lebanese Basketball League: 2022

Lebanon Arab Basketball Championship Gold Medal: (2022) FIBA Asia Cup Silver Medal: 2022

Individual FIBA Asia Cup MVP: 2022 FIBA Asia Cup All-Tournament Team: 2022 Arab Basketball Championship MVP: 2022 All-BAL First Team: 2021 Lebanese Basketball League MVP: 2024 Basketball Champions League Asia MVP: 2024 FIBA West Asia Super League MVP: 2024–25

Career statistics

LBL

LBL

LBL

LBL

LBL

LBL

CBA

LBL

LBL

BAL