Basketball

Maccabi Tel Aviv rallies, downs Jerusalem in State Cup semis

With a 94-85 win, Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the State Cup final, which will take place on Thursday night. The yellow-and-blue will meet the winner of the Bnei Herzliya and Hapoel HaEmek clash.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrating.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

Spike Lee, Kyrie Irving wear pro-Palestinian outfits to NBA All-Star Game featuring Israeli player

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges while Irving wore a Wear the Peace "PRESS" shirt, which was "dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza, showing the world the truth."

|ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) at Moda Center, Feb 20, 2025.

'I heard great things': LeBron James faces backlash after praising Deni Avdija, Israel

The Los Angeles Lakers forward said he heard "nothing but great things" about Israel while discussing Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in the NBA All-Star Game.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

The backlash to Lebron James' praise of Israel is jarring, but predictable - comment

Lebron James was answering a question about Deni Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in an NBA All-Star Game, when he made positive comments about Israel, prompting the online criticism.

|ByALEX C. MICHAEL

NBA's Deni Avdija in house as Israel opens EuroBasket training camp

Blue-and-white’s NBA star leads the way as national team gathers in Tel Aviv to begin EuroBasket journey.

JULY 22, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
DENI AVDIJA will certainly be the focus in Israel’s EuroBasket roster, but the blue-and-white have a well-rounded and deep team poised to make noise in the tournament, which tips off in late August.

Israel finishes sixth at U20 EuroBasket after loss to Greece

Michaeli led Israel with 22 points and 10 rebounds, Mayer added 19, and Shachar Doron scored 16.

JULY 20, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
DESPITE A sparkling start to the tournament, Israel finished the Under-20 EuroBasket on a bit of a sour note with a 92-92 defeat to Greece.

Stars align in Tel Aviv: Hapoel, Maccabi steal summer spotlight with Micic, Brissett

The Reds inked one of the all-time Euroleague greats in Vasilije Micic, while the yellow-and-blue brought NBA champion Oshae Brissett on board.

JULY 18, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
One of Hapoel Tel Aviv's new signee Vasilije Micic

Israel U19 Women's team exit FIBA World Cup in dramatic loss against Portugal

Israel’s Under-19 Women’s National Team adventure at the FIBA World Cup came to an end this Wednesday with a heartbreaking 83-80 loss to Portugal.

JULY 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portugal celebrates on the court after beating Israel 83-80 on Wednesday in a tight round-of-16 match at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Israel crushes Romania by 51 to reach U20 EuroBasket quarterfinals

Avrahami’s squad sets national records for scoring and margin of victory in commanding triumph; Italy or Iceland up next

JULY 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ARIEL SELA (with ball) and Israel won their fourth straight game at the Under-20 EuroBasket by beating Romania 119-68 in the last-16 on Wednesday in Crete.

Israeli U-19 Women’s National Team sets sights on US after mixed FIBA start

Coach Tal Natan’s squad features a mix of players, but without a doubt, the headliner is Gal Raviv, who will be playing at the University of Miami this coming season.

JULY 15, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL’S UNDER-19 women’s national team is competing this week at the FIBA World Cup in the Czech Republic.

Israel rolls past Poles, stays perfect at U20 EuroBasket

In its third win in as many days, Sharon Avrahami’s squad overcame an early deficit and used a spectacular 24-0 run bridging the second and third quarters to take control of the game.

JULY 15, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAEL GUARD Omer Mayer had 24 points and 11 assists to pace the blue-and-white to a 91-75 victory over Poland at Under-20 EuroBasket in Crete on Monday.

Rising star Alon Michaeli anchors Israel in surging Under-20 EuroBasket quest

While many eyes will be on Purdue’s Mayer, who starred at the recent Under-19 World Championship, Michaeli will play a critical and perhaps under-the-radar role.

JULY 14, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Alon Michaeli Israel Under-20 basketball interview by Joshua Halickman on Page 8 – 2 Pictures – One of Israel's Alon Michaeli playing defense

Israel routs Finnish national team at U20 EuroBasket

Israel’s U20 team is building on the momentum of the country’s strong showing at the recent FIBA U19 World Cup.

JULY 13, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAEL GUARD Shachar Doron scored 10 points in the blue-and-white’s 88-69 victory over Finland to improve to 2-0 at the U20 EuroBasket.

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.

JULY 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM 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.