Israel men's national basketball team

Israel

FIBA ranking	42 (1 March 2024)[1]
Joined FIBA	1939; 85 years ago (1939)
FIBA zone	FIBA Europe
National federation	IBBA
Coach	Ariel Beit-Halahmy
Nickname(s)	הכחולים-לבנים (The Blue and Whites)
Olympic Games
Appearances	1
Medals	None
FIBA World Cup
Appearances	2
Medals	None
EuroBasket
Appearances	30
Medals	Silver: (1979)
Asian Games
Appearances	3
Medals	Gold: (1966, 1974) Silver: (1970)
Home Away
First international
Philippines 57–47 Israel  (Helsinki, Finland; 14 July 1952)
Biggest win
Israel 116–64 Albania  (Granada, Spain; 26 June 1992)
Biggest defeat
Soviet Union 90–44 Israel  (Istanbul, Turkey; 24 May 1959)

The Israel men's national basketball team (Hebrew: נבחרת ישראל בכדורסל) represents Israel in international basketball tournaments. They are administered by the Israeli Basketball Association. Israel is currently ranked 42nd in the FIBA World Ranking.^[2]

Israel has qualified for the EuroBasket 30 times throughout their history. They have also made two appearances at the World Cup, and one at the Summer Olympics. Israel also participated at the Asian Games from 1966 to 1974. The most success Israel has had on the international stage to date, is finishing as the runners-up at EuroBasket 1979, as well as winning two gold medals (1966, 1974), and one silver medal (1970) at the Asian Games.

History

1952 Olympic Games

The Israeli national team played in their first international competition at the 1952 Olympic Games. However, the team would quickly be ousted in the preliminary tournament, with an (0–2) record and loses to the Philippines, and Greece.^[3]

EuroBasket 1953

Israel made their European Basketball Championship debut at EuroBasket 1953 in Moscow. In the preliminary round, the Israeli squad won their group by tie-breaker after being one of three teams to finish with a (3–1) record. They then advanced to the final round, managing to defeat perennial power Czechoslovakia, and getting revenge on Yugoslavia for their only preliminary round loss. Their record in the final round was (4–3), putting them in a 4-way tie for second place behind the undefeated Soviet Union. Israel eventually came out on the bottom of that tie-breaker, finishing in 5th place of the 17 teams.

Israel's overall record of seven wins and four losses included two wins by forfeit over Lebanon (in the preliminary round) and Egypt (in the final round), each of which had refused to play against Israel due to political reasons.^[4]

1954 World Cup

Israel reached the World Cup for the first time in 1954. The national team would be placed in Group D in the preliminary round, where they would finish in a 3-way tie, after splitting their two games. They would ultimately secure a spot in the final round based on point difference. There Israel would be overwhelmed, as they dropped six of their seven matches to accumulate an (1–6) record, with their only win coming in a 48–45 overtime victory against France.^[5] Israel would end their inaugural appearance at the tournament in 8th place.^[6]

1966 Asian Games

Israel appeared at the Asian Games for the first time in 1966. Being drawn into Group B in the preliminary round of the tournament, the national team throttled Iran in the first game 87–55. After that result, Israel would go on to finish out the rest of the round with an (4–1) record, to move on. In the semi-finals, Israel breezed passed Japan 57–34 to reach the title game. In the final, Israel capped their run through the competition by dismantling Thailand 90–42 to capture their first gold medal at the Asian Games.

1970 Asian Games

Heading into the 1970 Asian Games, Israel looked to repeat their performance from 1966. Israel swept their preliminary phase opponents to make it to the final stage. Sitting at (3–0), Israel looked dominant in their first three wins, and appeared poised to become back-to-back Asian Games champions. After winning their first seven games of the final round, Israel needed one more win to finish with a flawless record, and take home the gold. However, South Korea prevented it all from happening, defeating Israel convincingly 81–67. The result landed the team into a second-place finish overall.

1974 Asian Games

The 1974 Asian Games would be the final appearance for Israel at the tournament. The team looked to achieve the gold medal once more before departing. Israel easily made it through the first two rounds to an (3–0) record, setting up an clash in the semi-finals. There the team went up against the Philippines, and outlasted them in a high scoring affair 123–101, to reach the final. In the title game South Korea awaited Israel once again, who was determined to avenge their lost to them at the prior Asian Games in 1970. This time around Israel would come out as champions, winning a hard-fought tussle 92–85 to reclaim the gold medal one last time.

EuroBasket 1979

The EuroBasket 1979 was the 12th appearance for Israel at the European Basketball Championship. The team began their tournament journey with an opening phase defeat against France. Although the team would refocus, and win their next two matches against Poland, and Yugoslavia. The (2–1) record the team achieved was enough to advance to the final stage of the competition. There the team won three out of their five games, two finish in second place in the group, only behind the Soviet Union. This result gave Israel their first medal finish at the tournament.^[7]

1986 World Cup

Israel qualified for their second World Cup appearance in 1986.^[8] The national team was drawn into Group B in the preliminary phase. Their first game of the tournament was an 79–84 win against Uruguay.^[9] Israel would go on to attain second place in group play with an (3–2) record, to move on to the next round. However, Israel was not as successful in this phase, as they would finish up with a losing record (2–3) to be relegated to the classification round. There they went (1–1) to come in 7th place at the competition overall.^[10]

EuroBasket 2017

Israel won the rights to be one of four co-hosts for EuroBasket 2017.^[11] With Israel hosting Group B in Tel Aviv, the team went up against Italy in their first game, and were thoroughly dominated in an 69–48 defeat. Heading into their second game of the tournament, Israel had Lithuania standing in their way. Israel ran out to an early first period lead, but the team could not maintain the momentum, as they fell to (0–2) and desperately needing a win in their next game. Germany was the opponent for the national team in their third match of group play, and they were victorious in a remarkable 80–82 win.^[12] Sitting with an (1–2) record, Israel were intent to even it all up with their game against Georgia. However, even behind the strong performance from Gal Mekel, and his 23 points were not enough. Israel would lose a heartbreaker in overtime 91–104.^[13] Their last game of group play, and positions nearly determined, Israel would fall once more. This time at the hands of Ukraine, 88–64, to end the tournament with an (1–4) record.^[14]

2019 World Cup qualification

During the process for Israel to reach the

on the road in their next game, the team looked to move to (2–0). Although Greece would have none of it, as they dominated Israel 82–61, dropping the team to a record of (1–1). Israel would eventually get things on track, as they finished the rest of group play at (3–3), enough to advance to the second and final round of qualifying.

For the second round of World Cup qualifying, Israel was placed into Group L. Their first two matches of group play were tough loses against Georgia, and Germany. Although they eventually picked up an impressive win in their third game at home versus Serbia.^[15] Unfortunately, the national team would only earn one more victory during the rest of the qualifiers, which saw their hopes at (5–7) and clinching qualification vanish.^[16]

Honours

Medals table

Event	W	L	Per.				T
Summer Olympic Games	0	2	.000	0	0	0	0
FIBA World Cup	7	11	.389	0	0	0	0
EuroBasket	77	113	.405	0	1	0	1
Asian Games	19	2	.905	2	1	0	3
Total	103	128	.455	2	2	0	4

Competitive record

Results and fixtures

  Win   Loss

2024

2025

Team

Current roster

Roster for the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers matches on 22 and 25 February 2024 against Portugal and Slovenia.^[17][18]

Israel men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. C 4 Roman Sorkin 27 – (1996-08-11)11 August 1996 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Maccabi Tel Aviv F/C 6 Itay Segev 28 – (1995-06-15)15 June 1995 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) Ironi Ness Ziona PG 10 Bar Timor 31 – (1992-03-02)2 March 1992 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Hapoel Tel Aviv G 11 Yam Madar 23 – (2000-12-21)21 December 2000 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Fenerbahçe SF 12 Rafi Menco 29 – (1994-03-05)5 March 1994 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Maccabi Tel Aviv SG 18 Raz Adam 24 – (1999-10-20)20 October 1999 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Ironi Kiryat Ata SF 21 Netanel Artzi 26 – (1997-03-21)21 March 1997 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Hapoel Holon F 24 Oz Blayzer 31 – (1992-12-29)29 December 1992 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) Hapoel Jerusalem F 30 Nimrod Levi 28 – (1995-03-24)24 March 1995 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Samsunspor PG 31 Noam Yaacov 19 – (2004-10-20)20 October 2004 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) ASVEL PF 41 Tomer Ginat 29 – (1994-11-07)7 November 1994 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Hapoel Tel Aviv G/F 50 Yovel Zoosman 25 – (1998-05-12)12 May 1998 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) Hapoel Jerusalem G 99 Yiftach Ziv 28 – (1995-07-09)9 July 1995 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Saint-Quentin	Head coach Ariel Beit-Halahmy Assistant coach(es) Sharon Drucker Yoav Shamir Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 22 February 2024

Depth chart

Pos.	Starting 5	Bench 1	Bench 2
C	Roman Sorkin	Itay Segev
PF	Tomer Ginat	Nimrod Levi
SF	Oz Blayzer	Rafi Menco	Netanel Artzi
SG	Yovel Zoosman	Yovel Zoosman	Raz Adam
PG	Yam Madar	Bar Timor	Noam Yaacov

Notable players

Current notable players who have played for the national team:

Players previously called up roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. F Deni Avdija 23 – (2001-01-03)3 January 2001 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Washington Wizards G/F Adam Ariel 29 – (1994-12-10)10 December 1994 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan PG Gil Beni 25 – (1998-10-27)27 October 1998 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Hapoel Tel Aviv PG Tamir Blatt 26 – (1997-05-04)4 May 1997 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Maccabi Tel Aviv SG Michael Brisker 26 – (1998-02-21)21 February 1998 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Rouen PF Ben Carter 29 – (1994-08-22)22 August 1994 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Unattached C Gabriel Chachashvili 24 – (1999-12-08)8 December 1999 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Hapoel Jerusalem F T. J. Cline 29 – (1994-07-22)22 July 1994 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Hapoel Eilat C Jake Cohen 33 – (1990-09-25)25 September 1990 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) Maccabi Tel Aviv G/F Or Cornelius 26 – (1997-09-26)26 September 1997 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) Hapoel Jerusalem G/F Shawn Dawson 30 – (1993-12-12)12 December 1993 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Hapoel Holon PG John DiBartolomeo 32 – (1991-06-20)20 June 1991 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Maccabi Tel Aviv G Noam Dovrat 21 – (2002-07-16)16 July 2002 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Hapoel Jerusalem SG Golan Gutt 29 – (1994-07-11)11 July 1994 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) Hebraica Macabi G Max Heidegger 26 – (1997-06-05)5 June 1997 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Reyer Venezia F/C Richard Howell 33 – (1990-09-26)26 September 1990 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Maccabi Haifa G Roi Huber 26 – (1997-02-10)10 February 1997 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Hapoel Galil Elyon G/F Egor Koulechov 29 – (1994-11-05)5 November 1994 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Hapoel Be'er Sheva PF T. J. Leaf 26 – (1997-04-30)30 April 1997 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Beijing Ducks PG Niv Misgav 28 – (1995-07-25)25 July 1995 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Hapoel Holon G Itay Moskovits 23 – (2000-03-31)31 March 2000 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Hapoel Haifa PG Yogev Ohayon 36 – (1987-04-24)24 April 1987 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Maccabi Ra'anana C Alex Tyus 36 – (1988-01-08)8 January 1988 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Runa Moscow G/F Spencer Weisz 28 – (1995-05-31)31 May 1995 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Hapoel Afula C Idan Zalmanson 28 – (1995-04-18)18 April 1995 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Hapoel Tel Aviv	Legend Club – describes last club on 22 February 2024 Age – describes age on 22 February 2024

Head coach position

Past rosters

1952 Olympic Games: finished 20th among 23 teams

3

(Coach: Jacob Saltiel)

---

1953 EuroBasket

: finished 5th among 17 teams

3

(Coach: Jacob Saltiel)

---

1954 FIBA World Cup: finished 8th among 12 teams

3

(Coach: Jacob Saltiel)

---

1959 EuroBasket

: finished 11th among 17 teams

3 Avraham Schneor, 4 Albert Hemmo, 6 Haim Kastan, 7 Amos Lin, 9 David Tari, 10 Jacob Edelist, 11 Ralph Klein, 12 Igal Volodarsky, 13 David Kaminsky, 14 Haim Hazan, 15 Erez Lustig, 16 Shabetai Ben-Bassat (Coach: Eli Amtel)

---

: finished 11th among 19 teams

4 Tanhum Cohen-Mintz, 5 Erez Lustig, 6 Ami Shelef, 7 Hanoch Barkon, 8 Albert Hemmo, 9 Offer Eshed, 10 David Kaminsky, 11 Ralph Klein, 12 David Tari, 13 Abraham Hoffman, 14 Haim Hazan, 15 Igal Volodarsky (Coach: Yehoshua Rozin)

---

: finished 9th among 16 teams

4 Tanhum Cohen-Mintz, 5 Offer Eshed, 6 Ami Shelef, 7 Zvi Lubezki, 8 Albert Hemmo, 9 Abraham Gutt, 10 Igal Volodarsky, 11 Ralph Klein, 12 Shlomo Ben-Zeev, 13 Abraham Hoffman, 14 Haim Hazan, 15 Ilan Zeiger (Coach: Yehoshua Rozin)

---

: finished 6th among 16 teams

4 Tanhum Cohen-Mintz, 5 Offer Eshed, 6 Ami Shelef, 7 Zvi Lubezki, 8 Albert Hemmo, 9 Igal Volodarsky, 10 Abraham Gutt, 11 David Kaminsky, 12 Gideon Freitag, 13 Abraham Hoffman, 14 Haim Hazan, 15 Ilan Zeiger (Coach: Shimon Shelah)

---

1966 Asian Games: finished 1st among 11 teams

4 Amnon Avidan, 5 Tanhum Cohen-Mintz, 6 Igal Dar, 7 Gershon Dekel, 8 Offer Eshed, 9 Abraham Gutt, 10 David Kaminsky, 11 Zvi Lubezki, 12 Itshak Shachar, 13 Ami Shelef, 14 Haim Starkman, 15 Ilan Zohar (Coach: Shimon Shelah)

---

: finished 8th among 16 teams

4 Tanhum Cohen-Mintz, 5 Offer Eshed, 6 Gabi Teichner, 7 Willie Wold, 8 Shamuel Avishar, 9 Igal Dar, 10 Abraham Gutt, 11 Gershon Dekel, 12 David Kaminsky, 13 Abraham Hoffman, 14 Haim Starkman, 15 Ilan Zohar (Coach: Shimon Shelah)

---

: finished 11th among 12 teams

4 Gabi Teichner, 5 Offer Eshed, 6 Ivan Leshinsky, 7 Giora Dori, 8 Haim Baram, 9 Gabi Neumark, 10 Haim Starkman, 11 Gershon Dekel, 12 David Kaminsky, 13 Itamar Marzel, 14 Mark Turenshine, 15 Ilan Zohar (Coach: Shimon Shelah)

---

1970 Asian Games: finished 2nd among 12 teams

4 Dan Barzily, 5

)

---

1971 EuroBasket

: finished 11th among 12 teams

4 Joseph Leja, 5

)

---

1973 EuroBasket

: finished 7th among 12 teams

4 Jonathan Zacks, 5

)

---

1974 Asian Games: finished 1st among 11 teams

4

)

---

1975 EuroBasket

: finished 7th among 12 teams

4 Shlomo Blum, 5

)

---

1977 EuroBasket

: finished 5th among 12 teams

4

)

---

1979 EuroBasket

: finished 2nd among 12 teams

4

)

---

1981 EuroBasket

: finished 6th among 12 teams

4

)

---

1983 EuroBasket

: finished 6th among 12 teams

4 Howard Lassoff, 5 Israel Elimelech, 6 Lou Silver, 7 Motti Aroesti, 8 Steve Schlachter, 9 Miki Berkovich, 10 Haim Zlotikman, 11 Shmuel Zisman, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 Ofer Yaakobi, 14 Niv Bogin, 15 John Willis (Coach: Ralph Klein)

---

: finished 9th among 12 teams

4 Amir Bino, 5 Motti Daniel, 6 Ofer Yaakobi, 7 Motti Aroesti, 8 Steve Schlachter, 9 Miki Berkovich, 10 Haim Zlotikman, 11 Shmuel Zisman, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 Hen Lippin, 14 Pinhas Hozez, 15 Johan Willis (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

1986 FIBA World Cup: finished 7th among 24 teams

4 Howard Lassoff, 5 Motti Daniel, 6 Adi Gordon, 7 Nir Rechlis, 8 Ariel Rosenberg, 9 Miki Berkovich, 10 Hen Lippin, 11 Doron Shefa, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 LaVon Mercer, 14 Tomer Steinhauer, 15 Ofer Yaakobi (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 11th among 12 teams

4 Howard Lassoff, 5 Motti Daniel, 6 Adi Gordon, 7 Nadav Henefeld, 8 Ofer Fleisher, 9 Ariel Rosenberg, 10 Hen Lippin, 11 Doron Shefa, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 LaVon Mercer, 14 Tomer Steinhauer, 15 Itzhak Cohen (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 14th among 16 teams

4 Nadav Henefeld, 5 Ofer Fleisher, 6 Israel Elimelech, 7 Desi Barmore, 8 Shimon Amsalem, 9 Adi Gordon, 10 Tomer Steinhauer, 11 Doron Sheffer, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 Amir Katz, 14 Lior Arditty, 15 Motti Daniel (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 10th among 14 teams

4 Nadav Henefeld, 5 Ofer Fleisher, 6 Guy Goodes, 7 Brad Leaf, 8 Dror Cohen, 9 Adi Gordon, 10 Amir Muchtary, 11 Doron Sheffer, 12 Doron Jamchi, 13 Kobi Balul, 14 Lior Arditty, 15 Motti Daniel (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 9th among 16 teams

4 Nadav Henefeld, 5 Lior Arditty, 6 Shalom "Puppy" Turgeman, 7 Amir Muchtary, 8 David Bernsley, 9 Oren Aharoni, 10 Oded Kattash, 11 Doron Sheffer, 12 Gur Shelef, 13 Uri Cohen-Mintz, 14 Tomer Steinhauer, 15 Ofer Fleisher (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 12th among 16 teams

4 Nadav Henefeld, 5 Motti Daniel, 6 Guy Goodes, 7 Shalom "Puppy" Turgeman, 8 Shimon Amsalem, 9 Meir Tapiro, 10 Oded Kattash, 11 Doron Sheffer, 12 Gur Shelef, 13 Uri Cohen-Mintz, 14 Tomer Steinhauer, 15 Yoav Saffar (Coach: Muli Katzurin)

---

: finished 12th among 16 teams

4 Israel Sheinfeld, 5 Shahar Gordon, 6 Derrick Sharp, 7 Shalom Turgeman, 8 Lior Lubin, 9 Ido Kozikaro, 10 Afik Nissim, 11 Meir Tapiro, 12 Yoav Saffar, 13 Barak Peleg, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 Moshe Mizrahi (Coach: Muli Katzurin)

---

: finished 7th among 16 teams

4 Erez Katz, 5 Yotam Halperin, 6 Derrick Sharp, 7 Moshe Mizrahi, 8 Israel Sheinfeld, 9 Gur Shelef, 10 Tal Burstein, 11 Meir Tapiro, 12 Yoav Saffar, 13 Ido Kozikaro, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 Shahar Gordon (Coach: Muli Katzurin)

---

: finished 11th among 16 teams

4

)

---

2007 EuroBasket

: finished 11th among 16 teams

4

)

---

2009 EuroBasket

: finished 14th among 16 teams

4 Moran Roth, 5 Yuval Naimy, 6 Gal Mekel, 7 Raviv Limonad, 8 Guy Pnini, 9 Yotam Halperin, 10 Tal Burstein, 11 Lior Eliyahu, 12 Moshe Mizrahi, 13 Ido Kozikaro, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 Amit Tamir (Coach: Zvi Sherf)

---

: finished 13th among 24 teams

4 Yogev Ohayon, 5 Afik Nissim, 6 Yuval Naimy, 7 David Blu, 8 Guy Pnini, 9 Gal Mekel, 10 Tal Burstein (C), 11 Lior Eliyahu, 12 Yotam Halperin, 13 Elishay Kadir, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 Uri Kokia (Coach: Arik Shivek)

---

: finished 21st among 24 teams

4 Raviv Limonad, 5 Afik Nissim, 6 Nitzan Hanochi, 7 Alex Tyus, 8 Lior Eliyahu, 9 Omri Casspi, 10 Guy Pnini, 11 Yogev Ohayon, 12 Yotam Halperin, 13 Ido Kozikaro, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 Elishay Kadir (Coach: Arik Shivek)

---

: finished 10th among 24 teams

5 Dagan Yivzori, 6 Shawn Dawson, 7 Gal Mekel, 8 Lior Eliyahu, 9 Omri Casspi (C), 10 Raviv Limonad, 11 Elishay Kadir, 12 Yogev Ohayon, 14 Yaniv Green, 15 D'or Fischer, 16 Robert Rothbart, 23 Bar Timor (Coach: Erez Edelstein)

---

: finished 21st among 24 teams

1 Richard Howell, 6 Shawn Dawson, 7 Gal Mekel, 8 Lior Eliyahu, 9 Omri Casspi (C), 10 Guy Pnini, 11 Elishay Kadir, 12 Yotam Halperin,
14 Oz Blayzer, 15 Bar Timor, 20 Idan Zalmanson, 21 Yogev Ohayon (Coach: Erez Edelstein)

---

4 Roman Sorkin, 7 Gal Mekel, 8 Deni Avdija, 10 Guy Pnini (C), 11 Yam Madar, 12 Rafi Menco, 15 Jake Cohen, 20 Idan Zalmanson,
30 Nimrod Levi, 41 Tomer Ginat, 45 Tamir Blatt, 50 Yovel Zoosman (Coach: Guy Goodes)

Kit

Manufacturer

• 2015: Peak^[20]

See also

• Sport in Israel
• Israel women's national basketball team
• Israel men's national under-20 basketball team
• Israel men's national under-18 basketball team
• Israel men's national under-16 basketball team
• Israel national 3x3 team
• Israeli Basketball Premier League

References

External links

• Official website (in Hebrew)
• Israel FIBA profile
• Israel National Team – Men at Eurobasket.com
• Israel Basketball Records at FIBA Archive

Videos

• Israel v Poland – Group D – Full Game – 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers YouTube.com video