The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Basketball

Hapoel Tel Aviv boosts squad with former Euroleague stars

Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to strengthen its roster with star players, aiming to conquer the country and potentially make a historic run in Europe.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Chris Jones (left) and Tyler Ennis (right) are expected to be key pieces of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Euroleague debut this season.
Former European star Claudio Coldebella brings passion, philosophy, and optimism to Tel Aviv in his new role as Maccabi’s general manager.

Maccabi Tel Aviv reveals former European basketball star as new GM

Maccabi’s new veteran Italian GM is tasked with rebuilding the yellow-and-blue amid war-related challenges, while still aiming for all in Europe.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
OREN SAHAR took a lead role over Israel's last few games at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, scoring a team-high 21 points in the blue-and-white's 79-68 victory over Switzerland to clinch a seventh-place finish

Blue-and-white closes strong with 7th place at U19 World Cup

The Israel Under-19 National Team wrapped up a historic run at the FIBA U19 World Cup with a 79-68 win over host nation Switzerland, clinching seventh place.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
MAYA ZILBERSHLAG and the Israel Under-18 Women’s National Team have high hopes despite a tough group at the European Championship in La Palma, Spain

Israel's basketball star Maya Zilbershlag embraces challenge at U18 Euros tournament

Maya Zilbershlag has been listed on FIBA’s website as one of the “10 Players to Watch” and led Israel with 16 points in the opening loss to France.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Double draft delight: Israelis Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf unite with the Brooklyn Nets

On this night, two young Jewish athletes made the world stop and take notice – together, in black and white, at the very heart of basketball’s most diverse city. 

JULY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BEN SARAF (L) and DANNY WOLF are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.

Maccabi, Hapoel Tel Aviv retool rosters for the 2025-26 basketball season

The two basketball teams representing Tel Aviv have plenty of off-court activity.

JULY 3, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AMERICAN-FRENCH forward Jaylen Hoard is returning to Maccabi Tel Aviv on a three-year contract.

Israel to face Slovenia in quarterfinals of U19 FIBA World Cup

Omer Mayer sparks a double-digit comeback for the blue-and-white vs Cameroon to advance.

JULY 3, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL GUARD Omer Mayer scored a game-high 33 points to help Israel rally to beat Cameroon 86-82 at the Under-19 World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Yaron Goldman and Israel’s Under-19 hoopsters stand tall in Switzerland - interview

“First of all, during a time like this, there’s even more pride and a sense of responsibility, especially since this is a World Championship,” Goldman said.

JUNE 30, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
YARON GOLDMAN, one of Israel’s rising stars, is poised to be one of the leaders of the U19 national team in its historic World Cup debut in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Jordan declines to play with Israel in U19 basketball World Cup, forfeits match

Blue-and-white athletes once again targeted by sports boycott as FIBA investigates Jordanians' decision not to play.

JUNE 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
THE ISRAELI Under-19 National Team opened its World Cup campaign on Saturday with a 102-77 victory over host Switzerland in Lausanne. However, Sunday's scheduled game vs Jordan seems to be in jeopardy.

Saraf and Wolf make history as Israeli back-to-back first-round picks by Nets

Brooklyn’s bold rebuild sets up first Israeli teammates in NBA history, on a franchise and city rich in Jewish culture.

JUNE 26, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Ben Saraf (left) and Danny Wolf (right) are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.

NBA Draft-bound 19-year-old Israeli guard Ben Saraf shines on big stage

Israeli teen sensation leads Ulm vs Bayern in German finals, strengthens case for 1st-round pick.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BEN SARAF drives to the basket while playing for Ulm against Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga finals, which the 19-year-old Israeli hopes to win tonight ahead of the NBA Draft.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija headlines blue-and-white’s EuroBasket roster

Avdija will return to the national team for the first time since EuroBasket 2022, while former Indiana Pacers forward TJ Leaf has also been called up.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AFTER TAKING a jump in his NBA career this past season, Deni Avdija will suit up for Israel's squad at the EuroBasket this summer.

Israel U19 basketball team heads to FIBA World Championship in Europe

Israel’s U19 basketball team overcomes hurdles to compete in the FIBA World Championship this June.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL’S UNDER-18 National Team poses after its fourth-place finish at the 2024 EuroBasket clinched the country a spot in this year’s Under-18 World Championship.

Pair of Tel Aviv hoops clubs still finalizing Euroleague plans

Both Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv will take part in Europe’s top basketball competition – a milestone moment for the country’s hoops scene.

JUNE 19, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
FOR THE first time ever, both Hapoel Tel Aviv (in red) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (in yellow) will compete in the Euroleague.

Israel basketball league admin. ends 2024/25 season without champion

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem were tied 1-1 in the best-of-three finals when Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran, initiating the current war.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM (red) and Maccabi Tel Aviv were locked in a tight best-of-three finals, but the league opted to end the season with the series tied 1-1 due to the war.