Nationality Lebanon Height 1.93 m Listed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Positions Basketball positions | Name Wissam Constantin Pro career 2003 Role Basketball Player | |
Born August 1, 1986 (age 38) Maghdouche ( 1986-08-01 ) | ||
Wissam Constantin, is the first deaf professional player in the Lebanese Basketball League 1.92 m tall (6 ft 4 in) and 85 kg weight (187 lbs).
Contents
- Early life
- IRAP Institut de Rducation Audio Phontique Ain Aar 19972003
- High school 20032006
- Notre Dame University Zouk Mosbeh NDU 20062009
- American University of Beirut AUB 2009 present
- From 1998 to 2002
- Blue Stars 20022005
- Homentmen 2006 2007
- Central 2007 2008
- Louaize 2008 2011
- Aintoura 2012
- Awards and honors
- Interviews
- Articles
- References
Early life
Born in Maghdouché, South of Lebanon on August 1, 1986, Wissam is the eldest child of Nadim Constantin and Riva Hayek.
IRAP (Institut de Rééducation Audio-Phonétique - Ain Aar) (1997–2003)
After starting his early education at his grandfather’s school, Lycée le Prince, due to certain circumstances, Wissam’s parents decided to move him to another school. IRAP, a special school for the deaf, was their choice. Wissam attended IRAP till he passed the official exams.
High school (2003–2006)
After graduating from IRAP, there were no secondary schools in Lebanon for Wissam to attend.
Notre Dame University - Zouk Mosbeh - NDU (2006–2009)
Even though foreign countries have specialized universities for deaf people such as Gallaudet University in USA, Wissam insisted on continuing his education in his own country, Lebanon that lacks universities for students with special needs.
Wissam presented an admission test to enter Notre Dame University – Louaize and got accepted. Then he graduated in June 2009 with distinction, to be the first deaf student in Lebanon and the Middle East with this high level of education in his country.
As he said in a TV interview explaining his choice of major: "My dream was to be a doctor and I always believed that I can make it come true. Unfortunately, a 'deaf doctor' is not commonly accepted by the Lebanese society. For this reason, accomplishing my dream in my own country was a bit hard and this is why I found a parallel major: Medical Laboratory Technology."
American University of Beirut - AUB (2009 - present)
Wissam's ambition pushed him to go forward to a master's degree in Microbiology and Immunology. And so he presented himself to the American University of Beirut and got accepted.
From 1998 to 2002
In summer 2001, Wissam joined Maghdouché club U-16 to develop his basketball skills.
Blue Stars 2002–2005
In summer 2002, during a friendly game, Wissam made a double-double (points and rebounds) and showed potentials that attracted Coach Pierre Kordahi who asked him to sign with Blue Stars. Wissam played with Blue Stars for 3 seasons. His most impressive game was the game against al Riyadi. Although they lost the game, Wissam made 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 block shots.
Homentmen 2006-2007
In October 2005, Wissam didn’t sign with any team. After passing his official exams, and entering NDU, he re-continued basketball with the NDU team, then signed with Homentmen.
Central 2007-2008
After an unpleasant season with Homentmen, Wissam moved to the Central team coached by Patrick Saba.
Louaize 2008-2011
Building a strong team which aims to reach the 1st division starting from the 4th division, Louaize chose Wissam to be with them. He signed a contract and played with them for 2 years. They won the 4th division and had 2nd place in the 3rd division. In the 2nd division, Louaize built a better team with coach Chafic Akiki. Wissam renewed the contract for another 2 years. After the failure to reach 1st division, the team broke down and coach Akiki resigned, therefore Wissam decided to resign too.
Aintoura 2012
Due to health problems, Wissam had to stop basketball for 6 months but his passion toward this game prevented him from retiring and for this reason, he decided to start again with Aintoura team to gain his stamina and skills again.