The MENA Basketball Showcase launched its first annual exhibition with local and international players putting their talent on display at Al Wasl Sports Club, Dubai on Saturday afternoon.

Potential future stars from 17 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Iran (MENA region) were invited as the first showcase of its kind in the region, inspired by McDonald’s All-American Game in the United States which celebrates the top high-school players from around the nation.

The UAE All-Star Game set the stage as the first contest, while the main event, the MENA All-Star Game, concluded the showcase.

Mixed in during quarter breaks of the second game were the 3-point and Slam Dunk contests as a number of the 42 elite players participating dazzled with their skills and athleticism.

In The MENA All-Star Game, Team Grey edged Team Black, 64- 48. The matchup was closely-contested throughout with the teams exchanging leads in the fourth quarter.

However, Team Grey’s defence down the stretch earned them the win as they locked down Team Black’s scorers and forced turnovers that led to fast-break points.

Taking home the MVP honours was power forward Haithem Saada, who finished with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks in an all-round effort, despite being unfamiliar with his team-mates.

“I didn’t feel pressure but it was the first game to play with these guys and I didn’t know anyone,” said Saada after the win. “I felt like a stranger going to the court without knowing anyone. It’s different from the way we play in the club and how we play here. But I was so excited to play.”

The opener saw the UAE U-17 National Team defeat the UAE Expat All-Stars 47-35 with defence dominating the play. From tip-off, the National Team constantly pressured the Expat All- Stars, forcing turnovers and clogging the paint.

Abdullah Abdullah won the MVP on the strength of his double-double with 12 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

In the loss, Expat All-Stars power forward Iyad Bugaighis of Libya had his own double-double with 11 points and an impressive 23 rebounds.

Ezzat El Kaissi of Lebanon hit seven of his 15 attempts to top Qatar’s Abdulrahman Saad (four) in the finals of the 3-point contest. The point guard won after claiming a thrilling, multi-round secondplace tiebreaker in the semifinals.