The Long Beach City College (LBCC) Athletic Department opens their first installment of the Alumni Spotlight series by featuring recent men's basketball athlete Mena Saad, who went on from earning his Associates Degree from LBCC to graduate from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) with a degree in Kinesiology.

At LBCC, Saad was on the men's basketball team during the 2014-15 season and the 2015-16 season as a guard. In his sophomore year, he garnered South Coast Conference Honorable Mention accolades as he averaged 9.9 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. In conference action, Saad totaled 98 points and 40 rebounds.

"Mena is a great example of a student-athlete," said Head Coach Barry Barnes, "It was an honor coaching him."

After Saad's mother had her fair share of health issues, he became closer to medicine and finished his pre-medical sciences while at CSULB. He currently volunteers at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital with a group called the Flying Samaritans, who provide free healthcare services to impoverished areas in Tijuana, Mexico.

This summer, Saad will be moving to Des Moines, Iowa to start medical school at Des Moines University, where he hopes to become a physician and provide healthcare to others.

"I'm very grateful to Coach Barnes, the coaching staff and LBCC athletics," said Saad, "They gave me the opportunity to play the game I love and also supported me through all my academic endeavors. Playing basketball at LBCC taught me the value of hard work and dedication and I hope to use those lessons throughout my life."