Wissam Constantin

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).[1]

Wissam Constantin
No. 10 – Kahraba Zouk
PositionForward
LeagueLebanese Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1986-08-01) August 1, 1986
Maghdouché
NationalityLebanese
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Career information
Playing career2003–present
Career history
2001-2002Maghcouché
2002-2004Blue Stars U-18
2004-2005Blue Stars U-20
2007Homenetmen Beirut B.C.
2007-2008Club Central Jounieh
2008-2011Louaize Club
2012-2013Berj Aintoura
2014Saint George Zalka
2015Mayrouba Club
2016Kahraba Zouk
Career highlights and awards
Fourth Division Champion (2009)

Early life

Born in Maghdouché, South of Lebanon on August 1, 1986.

Education

Wissam presented an admission test to enter Notre Dame University – Louaize and got accepted. Then he graduated in June 2009 with distinction,[2] to be the first deaf student in Lebanon and the Middle East with this high level of education in his country.[1]

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."[3]

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.[4]

Basketball career

Blue Stars 2002–2005

Wissam played with Blue Stars for 3 seasons.

Homentmen 2006-2007

In October 2005, Wissam didn't sign with any team.

After 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.

Louaize 2008-2011

Louaize chose Wissam to be with them. He played with them for 2 years. In the 2nd division, Louaize built a team with coach Chafic Akiki. Wissam renewed the contract for another 2 years. After coach Akiki resigned, therefore Wissam decided to resign too.

Aintoura 2012

Due to health problems, Wissam had to stop basketball for 6 months but he decided to start again with Aintoura team.

Awards and honors
  • In April 2008, the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences at NDU presented to him Said Akl Creativity Award.[1]
  • Moreover, he received the award for Academic Humanity distinction during the Commencement of the graduation Ceremony in July 2009.[1]
  • Wissam has also been honored by the Lebanon President Michel Suleiman who received him and his family in October 2009.[1][2]
  • In February 2010, he received an Award from the Lebanese Forces Student's Association. He was also honored by the Minister of Health Mouhamad Jawad Khalifeh for being the first in the exam of the practice of the profession to the year 2010.[5]
  • In December, Wissam received from NDU the Alumni Recognition Award in December 2010 in recognition of an outstanding professional achievement inspirational leadership and exceptional human qualities.[6]

Media

Interviews
  • Baynetna - MTV - 13 March 2010[7]

Articles
  • "أصحاب التحديات يهدمون حواجز المجتمع بالإرادة" by Roula El Helou - Sinyé magazine - Issue Number 8

References
  1. "Alumni Awards 2010 'Crowning Achievements'" (PDF). NDU Spirit. Notre Dame University. April 2011. p. 11.
  2. NDU Graduation Ceremony 2009 – pages 23/24
  3. "Constantin, Wissam جدار تلو جدار" (PDF). NDU Spirit. Notre Dame University. pp. 88–89. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-06.
  4. Itani, Lynn. "Opinion: Listening Out for a Better Future". Outlook Student Newspaper. American University of Beirut. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  5. Al balad newspaper – page 20
  6. "Alumni Awards List".
  7. MTV : Baynetna 13 March
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