Armenian Basketball Team Stuns Ireland in Los Angeles Friendly
The Armenian national basketball team delivered a convincing 74‑59 victory over Ireland on Saturday night at Cal State Los Angeles, in front of a crowd that swelled past 3,000 enthusiastic fans.
The atmosphere was amplified by the presence of more than 200,000 people of Armenian descent living in the Los Angeles area, many of whom turned the arena into a vibrant showcase of cultural pride.
Head coach Rex Kalamian, who also serves as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, orchestrated the game plan that emphasized quick transitions and disciplined defense, a strategy that paid dividends throughout the match.
Among the standout performances, 19‑year‑old point guard Anto Balian, a Glendale native and Pepperdine student, contributed crucial scoring and playmaking, while 21‑year‑old Daniel Kirakosyan recorded a rare triple‑double, finishing with 84 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
Team captain Andre Spight‑Mkrtchyan, who has held the armband since 2016, led by example and helped the side clinch its first gold medal at the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, a milestone that underscores the program’s upward trajectory.
The match also featured a special appearance by pop star Harout Pamboukjian, who sang the Armenian national anthem before tip‑off, a moment that resonated deeply with the diaspora audience.
Beyond the win, the team is focused on building a sustainable program that can eventually compete with traditional FIBA powerhouses such as Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, with the ultimate goal of securing an Olympic berth.