LebanonIsmail Ahmed Abdelmoneim, commonly known as Somaa, is a professional basketball player with both Egyptian and Lebanese heritage. He currently plays for Al Riyadi Club Beirut in the Lebanese Basketball League. Somaa gained recognition as a prominent member of the Egypt national basketball team, representing his country in significant tournaments such as the FIBA Africa Championship 2001 in Casablanca, Morocco, and the FIBA Africa Championship 2003 held in Alexandria, Egypt. Due to his contributions to the sport, he has earned the nickname “The Egyptian Pharaoh.” Somaa’s basketball journey commenced in 1993 when he was just 17 years old. He made his professional debut with Al Ittihad Alexandria, a team competing in the Egyptian Basketball Super League. In 1996, he ventured to Lebanon to participate in the Arab Club Basketball Championship, where his leadership played a pivotal role in securing victory for his team over the Lebanese Sagesse Beirut, ultimately clinching the championship title.
