Basketball

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

|ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
HAPOEL TEL AVIV'S Antonio Blakeney blocks a shot during the Reds' 112-108 overtime victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Israeli league action at Yad Eliyahu.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beersheba in OT, while Jerusalem, Mac TA both take wins home

Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Hapoel Beersheba 112-108 in overtime to notch the tight win at Yad Eliyahu and improve its Israeli league record to 14-1 and remain in first place.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Will Rayman (11) has earned an increasingly important role with the club and he was instrumental in the yellow-and-blue's 75-71 Euroleague victory over Panathinaikos.

Everyone loves Rayman after Maccabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague triumph

Above all, the player who contributed to the win over the Greeks was Will Rayman, who perhaps made the most important and critical play, a play that wasn’t even with the ball.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Chris Jones celebrates after scoring two of his team-high 16 points in the Reds’ 71-66 Euroleague victory over Anadolu Efes in Bulgaria.

Hapoel Tel Aviv earns Euroleague triumph

First-place Reds improve to 16-6 • Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated in Greece • Jerusalem, Holon also lose

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israeli basketball stars shine on NBA opening night: Avdija leads Portland, Saraf starts

Israeli basketball talent shone on NBA opening night as Deni Avdija led Portland and Ben Saraf debuted as Brooklyn’s youngest starter, marking a historic moment for Israeli hoops.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) brings the ball up the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Moda Center, October 22, 2025.

European basketball set to return to Israel in December

Two years after being forced to relocate games abroad, Israeli clubs will be able to host at home following the ceasefire and new security guarantees.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BOTH TEL AVIV basketball teams – Maccabi Tel Aviv (in yellow) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (in red) – will be able to host Euroleague games in Israel starting in December following Tuesday's decision in the aftermath of the ceasefire.

Vasilije Micic reminds Europe who he is, leads Hapoel Tel Aviv past Valencia

Micic wasn’t about to let anyone think that at age 31 he was done. After a mystical third frame, he was anything but finished.

OCTOBER 16, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
VASILIJE MICIC had a dominant Euroleague performance for Hapoel Tel Aviv at Valencia, leading the Reds to victory with a vintage display of skill and leadership

Maccabi Tel Aviv falls to 1-3 in EuroLeague as Holon, Herzliya lose

Maccabi Tel Aviv suffers a tough 92-71 loss to Barcelona in Euroleague action, dropping to 1-3 • Marcio Santos leads with 18 points as the team struggles to find rhythm ahead of Thursday’s game.

OCTOBER 15, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Lonnie Walker shoots during the yellow-and-blue's 92-71 Euroleague loss to host Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Israel vehicle tracking company Ituran signs sponsorship agreement with Gaza Envelope club

Under the terms of the agreement, the M.K. Otef Darom basketball team will feature the Ituran logo on the front of their uniforms for all home and away games.

OCTOBER 15, 2025ByYARON LEVY
MK OTEF DAROM basketball administration poses after signing a sponsorship deal with Ituran.

Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv to duel in Winner Cup final

Hapoel Jerusalem downed Maccabi Tel Aviv 79-69 as Jared Harper starred once again to advance to the Winner Cup final.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
KHADEEN CARRINGTON (left) and Hapoel Jerusalem overcame Tamir Blatt (45) and Maccabi Tel Aviv over the weekend in their Winner Cup semifinal clash.

Unfinished business: Austin Wiley back to power Hapoel Jerusalem - interview

With a stellar, star-studded squad, plenty of experts are picking Hapoel to capture the title for the second time in their history. But of course, the games are played on the court and not on paper.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025ByJOSH HALICKMAN
FROM injury, Austin Wiley is set to be a key force for Hapoel Jerusalem this season, bringing skill, size and leadership.

Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s record-breaking Jewish basketball coach, resigns amid rumored Senate run

The surprise resignation, which comes ahead of the NCAA season, is reportedly linked to Pearl's consideration of entering politics. He has acknowledged a possible run for Senate in Alabama.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
Bruce Pearl celebrates with his team after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Arena, Feb. 1, 2022.

Law firms hit the court for Shalva’s IDF hopefuls

The leader of the legal group described the tournament as an opportunity to prove that the firm's "commitment to equality and inclusion is not just words."

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAEL LAW FIRMS competed on the court at the Shalva National Center in Jerusalem to raise money for the 'Rising in Rank' project for those with disabilities joining the IDF.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem face off in historic Super Cup

The Israel Basketball League will hold a Super Cup clash between beloved Israeli teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AFTER FINISHING June's finals tied at 1-1 when the Iran war broke out, Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv will duel in the season-opening Super Cup on Sunday.