New Jersey (North): Cairo (D2)

Power Ranking Trend

Power Ranking By Week
WEEK RECORD RANK COMMENTS
Week 6 3-3 10
Cairo fell 64–53 to Tripoli, and the second half told the story: they were right there at the break before Tripoli’s size, balance, and composure started to wear the game down. Ahmed Ismaeil kept Cairo connected offensively, Omar Hussein’s shooting gravity still bent the defense, and Jay Wiggins gave them another scoring option — but the group needed cleaner counters once Tripoli tightened the floor. Without Trey H and the Elsammak brothers, Cairo’s defensive margin gets thinner, and every empty trip becomes harder to survive. Week 6 was a reminder that their talent is still real, but against physical contenders they need sharper ball movement, more mature late-game decision-making, and stronger finishing through contact.
Week 5 3-2 8
 
Cairo gets the forfeit win over Mombasa, and even without an on-court statement, the result still matters — it keeps them alive in the chase pack and gives them a chance to reset before the next real test. Abdul Kareem Elsammak remains the late-clock organizer who can settle possessions, Omar Hussein’s shooting gravity still bends defenses, and Ahmed Ismaeil / Trey H give them the two-way balance to punish teams that come in unprepared. The free win helps the standings, but Cairo’s next jump has to be earned on the floor: sharper defensive rotations, cleaner ball movement, and a stronger 40-minute showing against a full-strength contender like Tripoli.
Week 4 2-2 7

64–37 over Dhaka, and it never really got uncomfortable. Ahmed Ismaeil set the tone early, and when Cairo is getting clean looks with pace, Omar Hussein’s gravity changes how defenses can help. The bigger story: without Trey, they still had five players in double figures. If they keep playing this kind of team basketball on offense and defending with purpose — no freebies, no shortcuts — Cairo can keep climbing.
Week 3 1-2 8

Tough one in a physical matchup: 73–79 vs. Jerusalem. Abdul Kareem E. battled and kept it close late, but every touch felt contested and Jerusalem made Cairo work for clean looks. Omar Hussein’s shooting is still the swing — when he’s in rhythm, Cairo can beat anyone — but the bigger need is earlier defensive stops and fewer empty possessions to avoid chasing the game. The talent is there; the margin is tighter now.
Week 2 1-1 4

Cairo took a tough loss to Amman (64–79), and it exposed the gap between “dangerous” and “elite” right now. Captain Abdul Kareem E. can still lead them to buckets, and when Omar Hussein is splashing threes the whole gym tilts — but they’ll need more consistent stops (Elsammak brothers + Trey H) and cleaner possessions when the game speeds up. Still a top contender — just not unbeaten anymore.
Week 1 1-0 3
 
Cairo survived a scrap with Granada in double overtime (74–71), and that’s a great sign — they can score and close. Captain Abdul Kareem E. kept them composed late and delivered the game-winner at the end of 2OT, and when Omar Hussein’s threes start falling, the whole gym tilts. The question (like always) is defense: can the Elsammak brothers (plus Trey H) stay connected and disciplined when the game gets messy?
Preseason 0-0 2
They play with pace and confidence—when Omar Hussein’s threes are falling, they can beat top teams. The swing factor is defensive consistency from the Elsammak brothers and Trey H; if they stay locked in defensively for full games, Cairo’s ceiling is higher than this spot.