Nba

Israel National Basketball Team begins prep for pair of qualifiers vs Germany, Croatia

Israel has opened its training camp ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Croatia, with several key players absent due to injuries and NBA commitments.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ARIEL BEIT HALACHMI will have to deal with a depleted roster when Israel takes on Germany and Croatia next week in FIBA 2027 World Cup qualification.
The Empire State Building, JPMorgan Chase Building, and One Vanderbilt in New York City are illuminated in the colors of the New York Knicks during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2026, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey.

The Knicks won on June 13, some Jewish fans think that’s more than a coincidence

Rabbi Justin Pines, CEO of JBS, noted the Holzman banner in a broadcast. “Coincidence?” he asked. “Or a divine reminder hanging right over the court?”

|ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Revellers and fans celebrating the New York Knicks' win over the San Antonio Spurs and World Cup festivities watch as a city shuttle bus catches fire outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York, U.S., June 14, 2026. The shuttles had been brought in to transport spectators to and from the New

World Cup bus set alight as chaotic celebrations erupt in Manhattan after Knicks win NBA

"They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is," said Youssef Sabbr, a 49-year-old Canadian of Moroccan descent.

|ByREUTERS
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) hoists the trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2026 NBA Finals to win the 2026 NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center.

Knicks in five! Knicks win NBA win 2026 NBA Championship for first time in over 50 years

Down double digits once again, the Knicks rallied to win their first NBA championship since 1973, ending a 53-year title drought.

|ByRICHARD OFFENBACHER

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

Less Rhodes, more NBA: Israelis discover sports vacations in America

A new trend in Israeli tourism: Sports vacations to the U.S. instead of Greece and Rhodes, with a significant rise in flights to NBA games and the World Cup thanks to Israeli players.

OCTOBER 7, 2025ByMEITAL SHARABI/MAARIV
NBATrips.

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.

After NBA setbacks and playoff heroics, Walker IV joins Mac TA

The former NBA guard joins the Israeli powerhouse before the 2025/26 season, expected to play a key role and boost athleticism and scoring in the yellow-and-blue’s backcourt.

JULY 28, 2025ByEMILY KLEIN
FORMER NBA guard Lonnie Walker IV, shown here during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, brings his scoring punch and playoff experience to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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.

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.

Double draft delight: Israelis Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf unite with the Brooklyn Nets

On this night, two young Jewish athletes made the world stop and take notice – together, in black and white, at the very heart of basketball’s most diverse city. 

JULY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BEN SARAF (L) and DANNY WOLF are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.

Grammy-Winning Violinist Miri Ben-Ari Makes History

Israeli superstar becomes first artist to headline NBA Finals Game 7 halftime show

JULY 1, 2025ByALAN ROSENBAUM
Miri Ben-Ari playing at halftime of Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on June 22, 2025

Saraf and Wolf make history as Israeli back-to-back first-round picks by Nets

Brooklyn’s bold rebuild sets up first Israeli teammates in NBA history, on a franchise and city rich in Jewish culture.

JUNE 26, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Ben Saraf (left) and Danny Wolf (right) are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.