Triple AfroBasket champion Slimane Radhouane scoops 2024 NBA Summer League with Miami Heats

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There are so many inspiring success stories in African basketball, and then there’s Slimane Radhouane, a Tunisian international and winner of three AfroBasket trophies who has added the NBA Summer League to his trophy cabinet.

Radhouane put his coaching skills at the service of NBA franchise Miami Heat in his debut in coaching, leading the Heat to a final victory in the NBA Summer League 2024. Collecting silverware is part of Radhouane’s hobby, and the 2.03m forward whose passion for basketball has been evident all his life has now transitioned from winning silverware as a player to collecting trophies as a coach. In the 2024 NBA Summer League, the Tunisian was part of the coaching staff that led the Miami Heat, to a scintillating victory as they overpowered the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 in a thrilling game that went to overtime.

Before the final, both teams had had incredible runs and were determined to win the trophy. The Heat were unbeaten with a 6-0 run, while the Grizzlies' 5-1 streak was strong proof of the incredible talent on display. Earlier in the tournament, the Grizzlies had a nail-biting encounter against the LA Clippers in the semis, turning to the geniuses of Scotty Pippen Jr. who registered a triple-double (23 points, 10rebounds, and 10 assists) and Jaylen Wells whose 28 points aided in overcoming the Clippers (99-98).Meanwhile, Miami put up a valiant fight against the Golden State Warriors and their swingman Kevin Knox II, who had an impressive 31points and 11 rebounds.

Despite the challenge, Miami held strong and secured a 102-99 victory. Before the Summer League final, Slimane Radhouane's team sent out a clear message in their game against the Toronto Raptors, stunning them 109-73 to establish the Miami franchise as a serious contender for the final victory.

Then came the Summer League’s ultimate game that would crown Radhouane the coach as Summer League champion. In a nail-biting fixture, it was the Grizzlies who came out on top in the early exchanges.

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The score at the end of the first quarter was 25-24, with Memphis showing a little more skill to lead 32-30 by half-time. The Heat scored an incredible 33 points in the third period, keeping their hopes alive and making for an exciting finish to the game. And it was this energy that carried the East Coast franchise into the final quarter.

In a stunning display of resilience, the Heat surged ahead in the final quarter, defying the odds. In a thrilling last-ditch attempt, GG Jackson sunk his shot to force overtime, tying the score at 113-113.But it took only one five-minute stretch to keep Miami fans on their feet and cheering! With just a handful of seconds remaining and the scoreboard reading 118-118, the Miami Heat launched into an incredible game of possession and passing in front of the Grizzlies' basket.

A split second before the buzzer sounded, Pelle Larsson rose above the fray and took a shot. It looked to be an eternity before the ball entered the hoop with the whole stadium erupting in a delirium of joy while the entire Miami bench exploded with joy.

One of the most decorated players from Tunisia, the 2,03 m power forward started his career with the club from his native JS Kairouan. While wearing the green and white uniform, he lifted back-to-back trophies, claiming three national titles in 2001, 2002, and 2003and winning two Tunisian Cups in 2002 and 2005, along with a Maghreb Championship in 2003.

He then moved to ES Sahel and added another silverware to his collection. In 2011, he contributed to ES Sahel securing a national double, first clinching the Championship title before securing the Tunisian Cup. In 2015, he added the Arab Club Basketball Championship to his already long list of achievements, once again claiming the regional cup in 2016, along with another Tunisian Cup the same year. The highly sought-after Radhouane decided to move to US Monastir in 2018. During his time there, he claimed four back-to-back national titles (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022) alongside three Tunisian Cups (2020, 2021, 2022). That same year, he would enjoy continental domination with Monastir, winning the BAL Season 2 with US Monastir. During the competition, Radhouane averaged 14.4 points and was named to the All-BAL First Team.

Slimane Radhouane is the player with three AfroBasket trophies in eight appearances. His story with FIBA Africa’s flagship tournament started when he was playing for JS Kairouan. Slimane's talent emerged, leading to his call-up for the Tunisia senior team at the 2001 FIBA Africa Championship when he was only 21. In that tournament, Tunisia lost to Algeria in the semi-finals.

He would later become Tunisia’s leading scorer in both the 2005 and 2007 Afrobasket tournaments. But he missed the 2009showdown, before making a return at the AfroBasket 2011. This comeback marked Radhouane’s and Tunisia’s first Afrobasket title, and he would go on to represent his country at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

While he missed the 2015 AfroBasket, he would go on to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles in 2017 and 2021.

While the now 43-year-old player could retire, sources say he has asked to play at the highest possible level for one more year. According to the same sources, he is expected to become part of the Tunisian national team staff as soon as 2027.

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[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA, Miami Heat & Slimane Radhouane instagram]

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