Returning with the Ottawa BlackJacks for a third season, Jamil Abiad spent the past two winters in Reykjavík, Iceland, where he coached the U18 and U21 Valur men’s basketball teams, reaching the league’s semifinals twice. Abiad also served as the lead assistant coach for Valur men’s professional team. In the 2022-23 season, they earned numerous accolades including the Icelandic Cup, Super Cup, and regular season champions. They continued the success this season, earning the titles of Super Cup champions and the Subway League Regular season champions with their 18-4 record.

Following a two-year professional basketball career in Lebanon and five collegiate seasons with the Bishop University Gaitors, Abiad dedicated his time to growing the game of basketball in the nation’s capital, where he created various initiatives to provide more resources and visibility to local basketball talents.

He founded NL Fitness, a basketball training company offering private and group trainings for athletes from ages six through to the pro level.