USM Alger (basketball)

Foundation and Early Years

USM Alger expanded beyond football in its early years by opening divisions for other sports such as boxing, basketball, and cycling. These activities continued thanks to the dedication of key figures like Abdelkader Omrani, Mohamed Abdelhamid, and Abdelkader Cherchari. On August 22, 1947, USM Alger officially inaugurated its new headquarters and multi-sports hall located at 5, rue de Bône (Algiers). The ceremony was attended by many personalities, as well as club officials and honorary members. The large complex included several physical training rooms equipped with changing rooms and showers, a basketball court, a boxing ring, a gymnastics hall, and areas for medical care. The upper floor housed offices and meeting rooms. L'Écho d'Alger reported the words of club leader Mohamed Zenagui, who declared: “The Union’s projects will not stop here, we will continue along the path we have set, inch’Allah.^[4][5]”

On February 17, 1952, Mohamed Taleb, a leader of the Mouvement pour le triomphe des libertés démocratiques (MTLD), passed away after a long illness, causing deep emotion throughout Algeria. His funeral in Algiers brought together several thousand people, including political leaders, associations, and sports representatives. At El Kettar Cemetery, Sheikh Abdelkrim, on behalf of the MTLD leadership, paid a final tribute to Taleb, highlighting his life, political commitment, and activism. In addition, Taleb was the president and founder of the USM Alger basketball section, contributing to the club’s development and its national role during the colonial period.

In 1956, the central leadership of the National Liberation Front (FLN) decided to halt all sporting activities involving Muslim clubs, as part of the broader political strategy during the Algerian War of Independence. A meeting was held at the USMA clubhouse on Rue de Bône to formalize the cessation of football activities. The meeting was chaired by Ali Cherifi, USMA vice-president and financial officer of the Zone autonome d'Alger (ZAA). Notably, two senior officials of the ZAA were affiliated with USMA. Among them was Muhammad Hattab, better known as Habib Reda, a USMA basketball player who also led the FLN’s bomb network and was later sentenced to death.^[6] On January 15, 1957, USM Alger officially ceased participation in all championships due to the Algerian War. The French Federation of Basketball confirmed this decision in its official publication.^[7]

Post Independence Basketball Achievements

During the 1960s, USM Alger established itself as one of the top basketball teams in Algeria. In the years following independence, the club built a talented and cohesive squad that would leave its mark on the national championship. Between 1965 and 1969, USMA won several Algerian league titles, impressing with their solid teamwork and strong defense. Led by standout players such as Houbi, Lamari, Zenir, Bonischot, and Chaour, the team dominated its rivals on the court. The championship victory in 1968–69 confirmed USMA’s supremacy in Algerian basketball during that period, extending a winning run that began in the mid-1960s. This era remains one of the golden chapters in the club’s basketball history.

Throughout the decades, the Algerian Basketball Cup has been the stage for several notable moments in USM Alger’s basketball history. Although the team was often among the country’s top competitors, its journey in the cup finals featured a few difficult chapters. In the 1988–89 season, USMA reached the final after a strong campaign, but fell short against MC Alger, finishing as runners-up. The story repeated in 1995–96, with another trip to the final, only to be defeated by the renowned WA Boufarik.

In the league, however, the club’s performances were more modest, spending several seasons in Division 2 and struggling to maintain a consistent presence among the elite teams of the national championship. Despite these challenges, USM Alger has maintained its place in the Algerian basketball scene, drawing on its rich legacy particularly during the golden periods of the 1960s and 1980s, when the team reached its highest levels domestically.

The USM Alger women's basketball team enjoyed a rich history on the national scene, particularly during the 1980s and early 1990s, establishing itself as one of Algeria’s top clubs in women’s basketball. The team won the National 1 Championship three times in 1969, 1986, and 1991, confirming its place among the elite. USMA’s women’s team also lifted the Algerian Cup twice, in 1979 and 1986, while reaching the final on several occasions during the 1990s. This era was marked by a talented generation of players who helped build the club’s strong reputation in Algerian women’s basketball. Even years later, this proud record remains a key chapter in the history of the USM Alger women’s section.

In the 2016–17 season, USM Alger returned to Super Division A after finishing first in the promotion playoffs. The group included ESB Ouargla, MC Saida, and OS Bordj Bou Arréridj. Under the guidance of young coach Reda Saiak, the Red and Black topped the playoff standings, earning a return to the elite division four years after their relegation.^[8][9]

USM Alger Returns to the Podium

On November 4, 2018, MADAR Holding appointed Saïd Allik as President of the Club Sportif Amateur (CSA) of USM Alger, while he was still serving as the sporting director of CR Belouizdad. The decision sparked criticism from USMA supporters, many of whom opposed Allik's return after his 25-year presidency and called for his resignation. Despite the backlash, Allik refused to step down.^[10]

On December 20, 2020, during the elective general assembly, Allik was re-elected for a new four-year Olympic term as head of CSA/USMA. The previous term concluded with an ordinary general assembly, during which both the moral and financial reports were unanimously approved. Although he had considered stepping away from the sporting scene, Allik was urged by athletes from various sections of the club, including basketball, to continue his leadership.^[11]

On June 10, 2023, USM Alger ended a 54-year title drought by winning the Algerian Basketball Championship at the Hamou Boutlélis Sports Palace in Oran. The team secured the title by defeating WO Boufarik in the final match of the playoff tournament. Technical director Khaled Berkani hailed the achievement, emphasizing the significance of ending more than five decades without a championship. “The credit goes to the players and the coach above all,” he stated.^[12]

On August 7, 2023, the CSA submitted an application to the Institut National Algérien de la Propriété Industrielle (INAPI) to register a new logo for the club. This move was made to comply with a court ruling requiring the removal of the city of Algiers' symbol from the logo. In parallel, CSA president Saïd Allik filed a complaint against the Société Sportive par Actions (SSPA) for using what he described as a "fake" version of the club's logo.^[13] That same year, USM Alger made its debut in the Arab Club Basketball Championship, held in Qatar. The club bolstered its roster by signing American player George Williams.^[14][15] USMA advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Lebanese side Dynamo.^[16]

On February 5, 2024, the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee announced that USM Alger player Faredj Messaoudi had signed a professional contract with a team in the Japanese 3x3 Basketball League, becoming the first Algerian to turn professional in that discipline.^[17] On July 17, 2024, USM Alger won the 53rd edition of the Algerian Basketball Cup, defeating WO Boufarik two time defending champions by a score of 71–69. This marked the club’s first ever Algerian Cup title in men’s basketball, after previously falling short in the 1989 final against MC Alger (66–77).^[18]

New Leadership, New Challenges, New Opportunities

Following the decision of Saïd Allik not to seek another term, a significant transition took place within USM Alger’s Club Sportif Amateur (CSA). After over 30 years at the helm, Allik expressed his desire to pass the torch and give an opportunity to new leadership. On September 18, 2024, Djabrouni Fouad, a long-time member of the club’s judo section, was elected as the new president of CSA/USMA. Djabrouni won the vote with 16 out of 24 ballots cast, defeating the other candidate, treasurer Khebaz Hamid, who received 7 votes.^[1][2] Meanwhile, on January 31, 2024, the Algerian Basketball Federation (FABB) announced the scheduling of the Basketball Super Cup match. The game was set for February 11, 2025, at La Coupole d'Alger Arena, and featured a clash between WO Boufarik, reigning Super Division champions, and USM Alger, winners of the Algerian Cup.^[19] In the match, WO Boufarik emerged victorious, defeating USM Alger with a score of 70–59.^[20]

Runners-up in both the National 1 and the Algerian Cup, USM Alger’s women’s basketball team still enjoyed a strong 2025 season, confirming their place among the top sides in the country. In the National 1, USMA fell short in the finals against reigning champions GS Cosider. After losing the first leg (57-67), the team was again defeated in the second leg held at Salle OMS de Staouéli, with a score of 48-66.^[21] A few days later, USM Alger contested the Algerian Cup final against Hussein-Dey Marines. In a tightly contested match, USMA were edged out 39-45. Despite these two final defeats, USM Alger confirmed their status as one of the leading women’s basketball teams in Algeria and will look to build on this strong campaign in future seasons.^[22]

USM Alger, the defending Algerian Cup champions, fell short in their bid to retain the trophy, losing 59–46 to newly crowned 2025 Algerian champions, NB Staouéli in the final of the 54th edition of the 2024–25 Algerian Basketball Cup. Despite the defeat, the younger USMA side, which holds a strong legacy in Algerian basketball and the 2024 Algerian Cup crown, showed encouraging signs for the future. Fielding a reportedly fresh squad under the club’s current rebuilding phase, USMA relied on several emerging prospects, including 2.16m (7'1") center Faredj Messaoudi, who led the team’s efforts on the court. Messaoudi is considered to have great potential and much to offer the team by management and his teamates, largely due to his massive height. The match, played in a charged atmosphere at the Coupole of the Mohamed Boudiaf Olympic Complex, drew a record crowd, with the loyal USMA supporters passionately backing their young squad throughout the contest.^[23][24][25]

Super Division roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

USM Alger roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age SF 1 Belhadj, Ramadane 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) 65 kg (143 lb) 31 – (1995-04-05)5 April 1995 PF 2 Merahi, Lamouri 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 30 – (1995-10-06)6 October 1995 PG 4 Khoudja, Zakaria 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 20 – (2005-05-10)10 May 2005 SG 4 Fodil, Ilyes 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 21 – (2005-04-04)4 April 2005 PF 7 Lakeb, Riadh 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 60 kg (132 lb) 20 – (2006-03-27)27 March 2006 C 8 Zaim, Mehdi 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 22 – (2003-09-01)1 September 2003 F 9 Mokhfi, Abdelouaheb 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 86 kg (190 lb) 25 – (2000-10-15)15 October 2000 PF 11 Redouane, Tarek 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 33 – (1993-04-11)11 April 1993 SG 15 Mimouni, Redouane 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 38 – (1987-08-23)23 August 1987 PF 19 Chaid, Badreddine (C) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 74 kg (163 lb) 22 – (2003-04-17)17 April 2003 SG 21 Medjoubi, Bacim 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 24 – (2001-10-20)20 October 2001 G 24 Amairia, Mohamed 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 39 – (1986-05-09)9 May 1986 C 26 Messaoudi, Faredj 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) 105 kg (231 lb) 23 – (2003-01-20)20 January 2003 SG 77 Boutiba, Ahmed 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 85 kg (187 lb) 30 – (1995-12-22)22 December 1995	Head coach Arab Kamel Ait Kaci Assistant coach(es) Khaled Berkane Legend (C) Team captain (I) Import player Injured Roster Updated: September 13, 2025

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Season by season

Men's

• Algerian Basketball Championship

Champion (4): 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69, 2022–23

• Algerian Basketball Cup

Winners (1): 2023–24

Runner-up (3): 1988–89, 1995-96, 2024–25

• Algerian Basketball Super Cup

Runner-up (1): 2025

Women's

• Algerian Women's Basketball Championship

Champion (3): 1968–69, 1985–86, 1990–91

Runner-up (1): 2024–25

• Algerian Women's Basketball Cup

Winners (2): 1978–79, 1985–86

Runner-up (6): 1983–84, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1992-93, 1993-94, 2024–25