Israel National Team

Hoops and hopes: Maya Zilbershlag leads Israeli basketball to European competitions

One of Israeli basketball’s top young female talents leads Israel into the U20 Women’s European Championship before beginning her college career at Purdue.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAELI GUARD Maya Zilbershlag enters the U20 European Championship as one of the country’s brightest young prospects.
Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars looks on against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas

Israeli-American Emanuel Sharp signs three-year contract with NBA's Sacramento Kings

The deal is reportedly $6.35 million over three years. The first two years are guaranteed, with a team option for the third.

|ByRICHARD OFFENBACHER
Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after the second half in the Final Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at the Alamodome on April 05, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.

Israeli-American Emanuel Sharp, son of Maccabi TA legend Derrick Sharp, gets drafted to the NBA

Following an outstanding career at the University of Houston, Emanuel joins a growing list of Israeli basketball talent to reach the NBA.

|ByRICHARD OFFENBACHER
Team IR Iran Airport Arrival - FIFA World Cup 2026 TIJUANA, MEXICO - JUNE 07: Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. The team's World Cup participation has been complicated

Visa denials and protests shadow FIFA as World Cup kicks off

Iran’s World Cup delegation says FIFA has failed to secure US entry for several officials, with 15 federation members denied visas ahead of the tournament, urging compliance with its rules.

|ByREUTERS

Israel takes step forward in FIBA qualifying

Well-balanced rout of Estonia sends blue-and-white to 2nd round • Finland, Sweden up next.

JULY 4, 2022ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ISRAEL TEAMMATES celebrate on the court at the Drive-In Arena in Tel Aviv after beating Estonia 96-77 to advance to the next round of FIBA World Cup qualifying.

Bar Timor stepping up for blue-and-white - interview

Hapoel Tel Aviv point guard shoots the breeze about National Team, playing abroad and more.

JULY 1, 2022ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BAR TIMOR is one of a number of guards that the Israel National Team is counting on for leadership, on and off the court, in the FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign.