Asia doesn’t wait for anyone.
When Johor Southern Tigers committed to the 2026 Basketball Champions League Asia (East) Qualifiers, this wasn’t about showing up. It was about matching up.
This week, the Tigers unveiled three imports who signal exactly that intent: former Charlotte Hornets guard Scottie Lewis, CEBL scoring standout Ahmed Hill, and 7-foot Iranian international Aaron Geramipoor. All three are expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.
Add in the earlier new local additions Matthew Chin, Ooi Xian Fu, and loan acquisitions of Wong Yi Hou and Maegen Mahadevan from NS Matrix Deers, and the message is clear. Johor isn’t testing the waters. They’re building for impact.
Defensive Juice and Athletic Ceiling: Scottie Lewis
The headline name is 26-year-old Scottie Lewis.
A former five-star recruit and 2019 McDonald’s All-American, Lewis was selected 56th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and appeared in two games during the 2021-22 season. At 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot wingspan, he brings explosive athleticism and disruptive perimeter defense — the kind of modern wing archetype that fits today’s pace-and-space game.
He may not be a volume scorer, but he changes tempo — jumping passing lanes, applying ball pressure and turning stops into fast breaks.
For a Tigers team that thrives on speed but has often lacked length on the wing, Lewis could elevate their defensive ceiling immediately. In Asian competition, where dynamic guards dominate, that matters.
Experience and Stability: Ahmed Hill
If Lewis brings upside, 31-year-old Ahmed Hill brings mileage.
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of Virginia Tech played three NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 run in 2019 where he averaged 13.1 points per game. His professional résumé spans the United States, Canada, Germany, Greece, Poland, Turkey and Argentina.
Hill became the first player in CEBL history to surpass 1,000 career points. While his recent stint in Argentina saw modest numbers (6.1 points per game over 12 appearances), the value he offers isn’t confined to box scores.
Hill reads the floor. He understands spacing. He knows when to slow the game and when to exploit mismatches. For a team entering high-pressure continental play, that steadiness is currency.
The Anchor: Aaron Geramipoor
The most transformative addition might be Aaron Geramipoor.
The 33-year-old, British-born center who represents Iran internationally, has competed at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics — rare pedigree at this level. He most recently played for Taipei Fubon Braves and appeared in the East Asia Super League as an Asian import.
In February, against Japan’s powerhouse Utsunomiya Brex — reigning B.League and BCL champions — Geramipoor delivered 25 points and 10 rebounds.
He plays with force, not flash. Strong screens. Deep seals. Physical box-outs. Defensive rebounding. He understands how to survive — and thrive — in high-contact environments.
Johor has historically struggled against size and strength in international play. Geramipoor provides both, plus experience that can’t be simulated in practice.
Local Reinforcements
The Tigers also finalized loan deals for national team guard Wong Yi Hou and center Maegen Mahadevan.
Maegen has already joined training, beginning his integration into the system. Yi Hou will report on March 15. Yi Hou’s ability to control tempo and manage late-game possessions adds another layer of security in tight contests. Maegen, who has shown notable development over the past year, gives Johor interior depth alongside another new addition Matthew Chin and Geramipoor.
The Tigers’ traditional weaknesses — physical size and international experience — are being addressed head-on.
Now Comes the Test
Paper talent doesn’t win regional tournaments. Chemistry does. Execution does. Adaptation does.
But Johor Southern Tigers have made their intentions unmistakable.
This isn’t a casual entry into Asian competition. It’s a calculated escalation.
The real evaluation begins when the pieces hit the floor together.
