Lebanese international Sergio El Darwish has secured his future in Japan after agreeing to a two-year contract extension with the Sendai 89ers following a highly successful season in the Japanese B.League.
The new deal is reportedly worth approximately $1.5 million over the next two seasons, rewarding El Darwish for an impressive campaign in which he established himself as one of the league’s most productive two-way guards.
Across 56 appearances, El Darwish averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while playing just 27.2 minutes per contest. His all-around impact and consistency played a significant role in Sendai’s success throughout the season and ultimately earned him a lucrative extension.
While El Darwish remains under contract with Al Riyadi Beirut on a three-year agreement that mirrors the length of his newly extended deal in Japan, multiple indications suggest that the Lebanese star will not join the reigning Lebanese champions for the remainder of the current season.
Throughout recent weeks, Al Riyadi head coach Ahmad Farran, club president Mazen Tabbara, and El Darwish himself had all left the door open for a potential return following the B.League Final Four. However, sources indicate that such a move has become increasingly unlikely.
The primary factor behind the decision appears to be El Darwish’s desire to prioritize rest and recovery ahead of Lebanon’s upcoming national team commitments during the June and August international windows.
In addition, any injury sustained while playing outside of his commitments in Japan could potentially place his newly signed contract at risk. While player contracts are typically insured during official national team duties, the same protections do not necessarily apply when participating in club competitions outside the terms of their primary agreements.
As a result, all signs currently point toward El Darwish focusing on his offseason preparation and national team responsibilities rather than making a late-season appearance for Al Riyadi.
Although his absence would be a disappointment for Riyadi supporters, the club has already received a major boost with the return of Wael Arakji and remains one of the leading contenders for the Lebanese Basketball League title.
For El Darwish, the focus now shifts toward building on a breakthrough season in Japan while preparing to once again play a key role for the Lebanese national team on the international stage.