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

Israel beats Belgium, advances to the round of 16 in EuroBasket for first time in a decade

The Belgians nearly erased a 21-point deficit in the final quarter – but the Israelis held on to claim a landmark achievement that has eluded them since 2015.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Israel players celebrate on the court following Tuesday’s 92-89 victory over Belgium, a result that secured the blue-and-white’s spot in the EuroBasket last-16.

Deni Avdija, Yam Madar lead Israel to first win over France since 1997

It was a historic night for Israel at EuroBasket as Avdija, Madar, and Ginat led the team to a thrilling win over France.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL FORWARD Deni Avdija led all scorers with 23 points as the blue-and-white pulled off a surprise conquest of France last night to improve to 2-1 at EuroBasket.

Israel beats Iceland 83-71 to open 2025 EuroBasket campaign

Avdija and Sorkin lead Israel past Iceland 83-71 in EuroBasket opener.

AUGUST 29, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL PLAYERS celebrate with their fans after beating Iceland 83-71 on Thursday in Katowice, Poland, to open group play at EuroBasket 2025.

Itay Segev: 'Representing Israel during time like these is greatest honor' - interview

This past July, Itay Segev also crossed that point, and now he’s no longer a kid. Still, EuroBasket 2025 is his first appearance with the Israel National Team, and the excitement is high.

AUGUST 29, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL CENTER is excited to be playing for the blue-and-white at EuroBasket 2025.

Israel National Team balances remembrance and readiness ahead of EuroBasket tip-off

Ahead of their EuroBasket debut, Israel’s national basketball team visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, reflecting on history and finding unity as they prepare to face Iceland.

AUGUST 28, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL PLAYERS Guy Palatin (left) and Deni Avdija visit concentration camps in Poland ahead of Thursday’s EuroBasket opener vs Iceland.

TJ Leaf finally comes home to Holy Land

After years of speculation, Israeli-born forward fulfills lifelong dream of joining Maccabi Tel Aviv

AUGUST 26, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
FORMER NBA big man TJ Leaf arrives to a hero’s welcome at Ben-Gurion Airport this week, ready to start his European journey in front of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s passionate fans.

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.