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

UK wheelchair basketball team snubs Israelis during Hatikva - interview

The Israeli team will likely be facing the same British team again at the upcoming European Championships (in October).

AUGUST 21, 2025ByMATHILDA HELLER
Israeli wheelchair basketball player Ilay Yarhi plays against the UK wheelchair basketball team.

Remember the name: Israel U16 Men’s National Team's Omri Orland

The 15-year-old point guard has taken the Israeli youth basketball scene by storm and could very well be on track to the NBA.

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI POINT GUARD Omri Orland is turning heads across Europe with the Under-16 national team – and several respected scouts say he’s destined for the NBA.

Israeli 3X3 basketball team excluded from French tournament, citing ‘political conflicts’

Team Ramat Gan’s de-registration from Versailles organizers underscored the growing impact of politics on international sports and Olympic qualification

AUGUST 14, 2025ByJOANIE MARGULIES
ISRAELI 3x3 basketball team, Team Ramat Gan, gears up for international competition, determined to earn Olympic qualifying points despite obstacles.

Questions remain for Israel before EuroBasket

"We have to take everything in proportion, and it’s still very early in terms of preparing for the EuroBasket," said head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi.

AUGUST 12, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
WHILE ARIEL Beit Halachmi's Israel roster at the upcoming EuroBasket will feature guard Yam Madar, there are a number of other players – notably Tamir Blatt (not pictured) – who will be missing for the blue-and-white.

Israel Basketball Association chairman on fiscal recovery, coaching development and player policy

One of the areas that needs more attention is that of working with coaches at all levels and accompanying them in order to help them improve their skills and professionalism, explained Frishman.

AUGUST 7, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AMOS FRISHMAN marks one year as IBA Chairman with sweeping reforms, bold plans, and a push for professionalism across the board

Following conquest of France, blue-and-white women fall to Italy

With defenses tight in the final minutes, scoring slowed. Israel couldn’t score late, and misses by Raviv and Oren left the door open Italy

AUGUST 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
DESPITE ANOTHER outstanding performance from Gal Raviv (left), who finished with a game-high 25 points, the Israel U20 women lost 77-69 to Italy in the quarterfinals of the EuroBasket in Portugal.

Israeli women stun France to reach U20 European quarterfinals

After a winless group stage, few predicted such a turnaround – but led by a 32-point performance from Gal Raviv, the Israeli team rose in unforgettable fashion in Senhora da Hora, Portugal.

AUGUST 6, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAEL CELEBRATES after beating France 81-74 yesterday at the Under-20 European Championship in Senhora da Hora, Portugal, led by 32 points from Gal Raviv.

Madmon magic lifts Maccabi Tel Aviv in Malta

"Nothing was as we expected, and after we conceded the goal, we started playing. That’s the message we’re leaving with: to know how to keep going," said Coach Zarko Lazetic.

AUGUST 6, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ELAD MADMON (center) played hero once again with a late tally to give Maccabi Tel Aviv a 2-1 victory over Hamrun Spartans in the first leg of their Europa League duel.

Maccabi Tel Aviv signs 28-year-old NBA vet Jeff Dowtin Jr., continues major retool

The move comes after weeks of negotiations and completes another major piece in the Israeli powerhouse’s backcourt rebuild plagued with ex-NBA's starts.

AUGUST 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Jeff Dowtin Jr. seen here during his stint last season with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers – joins Maccabi Tel Aviv on a three-year deal as part of the club’s revamped backcourt ahead of the upcoming Euroleague campaign.

Omri, Shani Casspi open up about heartbreaking pregnancy loss

"I’m grateful for the three treasures we have at home. Thank you to everyone for the messages, support, care, and concern," Shani Casspi wrote.

AUGUST 4, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
OMRI CASSPI and his wife, Shani, pose with their children.