Lubin, Lior

Lior is a spectacular passer who excels on the fast break. Lubin is extremely athletic and is an astute dribbler. He is a point guard for both Azovmash of the Ukrainian Superleague and the Israeli national league.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. September 19, 1977

Career Highlights:
As a teenager, Lubin played for the Maccabi Petah Tikva junior team and starred for Blich high-school in Ramat Gan. In 1994-95 his prestigious school won the national title. In the 1996-97 season, Petah Tikva promoted Lubin to the senior team which was mired in the third division at the time. The guard was far too good for the lowly team and was signed by Maccabi Ramat Gan of the top division in 1997.

In that first season (1997-98) the youngster participated in only nine games but gained a reputation as the best prospect in the Ramat Gan organization. The reputation was justified as he averaged 25.7 minutes in the 1998-99, while scoring 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and an outstanding 4.5 assists per game. Lubin was awarded the rookie of the year award for his efforts.

1999-2000 was a career year for Lior. The dynamic player scored 11.1 points, and passed for 5.5 assists per game, a career high. Lubin led the league in assists and was the unquestioned star of Maccabi Ramat Gan. The modest team began to make the playoffs on a regular basis thanks to Lior's leadership.

In the following two seasons, Liubin helped mold Maccabi into on of the top teams in the Israeli league. In the 2000-01 campaign he averaged 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Ramat Gan made the quarterfinals of the European Korac Cup and would do so again the following year. Lubin maintained similar numbers in the 2001-02 season.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of the biggest teams in Europe, finally signed Lubin after numerous attempts in the 2002-03 season. The guard found himself on the bench and unable to express his talents. He averaged a mere 11.9 minutes per game in the Israeli Premier League with only 4.4 points and 2.0 assists on average to show for it. Tel Aviv won the league and cup "double" and also participated in the prestigious Euroleague.

Lubin moved across town to Hapoel Tel Aviv for the 2003-04 campaign. The point guard experienced a resurgence in his new surroundings as he scored 11.0 points, made 4.0 assists and took down 3.0 rebounds. The "reds" enjoyed an immensely successful season by recent standards, finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the playoff finals.

Liubin signed with Azovmash of the Ukrainian league and is their starting point guard in the 2004-05 season. As of November 13, 2004, his team is first place with a 7-0 record.

Origin:
Ramat Gan, Israel

Career Dates:
Player: 1996-

Position:
Point guard

Physical description:
6"3

< Previous |  Next >