Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a popular sport in Israel, with a multi-tiered professional club league system and national men's and women's teams. The sport was introduced to the region by American immigrants in the 1930s, and it has since become one of the most popular games in the country. Israel's national under-20 basketball team has achieved notable success, winning back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019, and the country has produced several renowned basketball coaches. Additionally, the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv is considered one of the best basketball teams in Europe, having won the European Club Championship multiple times.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity of basketball in Israel | Second most popular sport in Israel |
| Basketball leagues in Israel | Ligat Ha'Al, Liga Leumit, Liga Artzit, Liga Alef, Liga Bet |
| Basketball teams in Israel | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| Israel's national basketball team achievements | 2 gold medals in the Asian Games, 1 silver medal at the European Championship, 20 medals at the Olympic Games |
| Israel's national under-20 basketball team achievements | Back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019, 3 silver medals in 2000, 2004, and 2017 |
| History of basketball in Israel | Brought by American immigrants in the 1930s, gained popularity among Jewish youth in urban areas |
| Influence of Jewish players in basketball | Crucial to the development of college and professional basketball in the early 20th century |
| Notable Israeli basketball players | Deni Avdija, Gal Mekel, Omri Casspi, Shay Doron, Moshe "Miki" Berkovich |
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What You'll Learn
Jewish immigrants and basketball in the US
In the early 20th century, basketball was a popular sport among the children of Jewish immigrants in the United States. The sport was invented by Dr. James Naismith at a Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in 1891 and quickly spread across the country. As industrialization, immigration, and urbanization drastically transformed America, many Americans, including Jewish immigrants, embraced basketball as it taught valuable lessons in teamwork, cooperation, discipline, and obedience.
Jewish basketball teams were especially prominent in big cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, where many young Jewish boys saw the sport as a way to escape poverty. Amateur leagues flourished in these communities, and Jewish players, coaches, and owners played a pivotal role in the early days of what would become the NBA. The formation of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) in the early 1900s provided a structured, competitive environment for players to develop their skills.
During this time, Jewish players often encountered discrimination in athletics outside of their communities. Despite these challenges, Jewish basketball spread across the country in the early 1920s as neighborhoods stabilized due to immigration restrictions, and American-born children of immigrants began to assimilate and embrace American sporting culture. Jewish players honed their skills at settlement houses, synagogues, and community centers, and went on to compete in various professional leagues.
The peak of Jewish prominence in basketball came in the 1930s. On March 3, 1934, a highly anticipated game between New York University (NYU) and the City College of New York (CCNY) featured nine Jewish starters out of ten players. The following year, Newsweek ran a story declaring basketball a sport "at which Jews excel." This game and the Newsweek article symbolized the significant contribution of Jewish Americans to the development of basketball during that era.
However, as rules changed and community dynamics evolved, the demographics of basketball shifted. While Jewish immigrants and their descendants had once dominated the sport, stereotypes about their craftiness and shorter stature were internalized, and the sport's demographics gradually changed. Despite this, the impact of Jewish immigrants on basketball in the United States remains a significant chapter in the country's sporting history.
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The role of Jewish players, coaches and owners in the NBA
Jews played a crucial role in the development of college and professional basketball in the first half of the 20th century. Basketball was invented in 1891 and quickly became a popular sport that spread throughout broader society. During the Progressive Era, basketball became popular among Jewish youth in urban areas, particularly in New York's settlement houses, communal institutions, playgrounds, and schoolyards. By the early 1900s, Jewish players such as Barney Sedran, Ira Streusand, and Harry Brill were honing their skills at institutions like City College, and upon graduating, they joined various professional leagues in eastern cities.
During this time, the definitions of "amateur" and "professional" were constantly changing, and college basketball remained relatively disorganized. These conditions allowed Jewish players to find a niche in the game, as neither college nor professional teams seemed interested in restricting Jews from participating. Jewish basketball spread throughout the country in the early 1920s, and Jewish players often played at YMHAs, synagogues, and community centers. However, Jews faced discrimination in athletics outside of their own leagues, and anti-Jewish attacks intensified during this decade.
Despite these challenges, Jewish players, coaches, and owners have made significant contributions to the NBA. Notable Jewish players include Max Zaslofsky, Ray Allen, Rudy LaRusso, Dolph Schayes, Amar'e Stoudemire, Red Holzmann, Jordan Farmar, Art Heyman, Ernie Grunfeld, Omri Casspi, Deni Avdija, Joel Kramer, Tiago Splitter, Danny Schayes, and Neal Walk. Jewish coaches in the NBA include Red Auerbach, Larry Brown, Red Holzmann, David Blatt, and Nat Holman. Additionally, Jews have also owned NBA teams, such as Peter Guber, co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, and Herb Kohl, former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
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The popularity of basketball in Israel
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Israel, with a multi-tiered professional club league system and men's and women's national teams. The top-tier league, Ligat Ha'Al or the Israeli Premier League, was founded in 1954 and comprises the top twelve basketball clubs in the country. The second-tier league, Liga Leumit, contains 14 clubs, with the top eight advancing to the playoffs at the end of the season. The Israeli Basketball League Cup, a pre-season tournament, has been held since 2006, the week before the Ligat Ha'Al season.
The Israeli national basketball team has achieved notable success, including two gold medals in the Asian Games and a silver medal at the European Championship. The team is currently ranked 37th in the world by FIBA and has participated 28 times in the European championship tournament. Israel also has a strong under-20 national team, which has won back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019, and several silver and bronze medals in other years.
Israeli basketball clubs have also gained international recognition. Maccabi Tel Aviv is considered one of the best teams in Europe, having won the European championship six times and the European Club Championship five times in the last two decades. In 2025, Hapoel Tel Aviv made history by winning the EuroCup for the first time, joining Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague.
The formation of the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) in the early 1900s provided structured competitive settings for players to gain experience. This allowed Jewish players to hone their skills and eventually join various professional leagues in eastern cities. Despite facing discrimination and anti-Jewish attacks during this time, Jewish players found success in basketball, with the game becoming an integral part of Jewish culture in America.
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The Israeli Basketball League Cup
Basketball is a popular sport in Israel, with a multi-tiered professional club league system, as well as men's and women's national teams. The Israeli Basketball League Cup is a pre-season professional basketball tournament held annually since 2006. It is held during the week before the start of the Ligat Ha'Al or Israeli Premier League season, which is Israel's primary basketball competition.
The Israeli League Cup tournament is contested between clubs, with the top eight teams from the previous season's Israeli Premier League competing. The tournament uses a knockout system, with teams scheduled according to their positions in the Premier League. The tournament is currently sponsored by Pais Lotto and is officially known as the Chance Cup. Previously, it was sponsored by the Toto Winner Organization and was known as the Winner Cup from 2006 to 2009. In 2010, the tournament had no sponsor and was simply named the Basketball League Cup.
The Israeli national basketball team has achieved success in international competitions. They have participated 28 times in the European championship tournament, winning a silver medal in 1979 and achieving 5th place in 1953 and 1977. The national team has also won 2 gold medals in the Asian Games and participated in two World Championships and the Summer Olympic Games. Israel is currently ranked 37th in the world by FIBA, the sport's governing body, and 14th in Europe as of July 2014.
The Israeli women's national basketball team also represents the country in international competitions and is ranked 36th in the world and 16th in Europe. They have competed in the EuroBasket Women's tournament six times, with their highest finish being 8th place in 1991.
Israeli basketball is also known for its successful youth teams and renowned coaching. The national under-20 team has won back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019 and produced several successful European coaches, such as Ralph Klein, Pini Gershon, David Blatt, and Zvi Sherf.
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Israel's national basketball team
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Israel, with a multi-tiered professional club league system. The Israel men's national basketball team represents Israel in international basketball tournaments and is administered by the Israeli Basketball Association (IBA). The combined men's and women's basketball team is ranked 55th in the world and 23rd in Europe. The men's team is currently ranked 39th in the FIBA World Ranking, while the women's team is ranked 36th in the world and 16th in Europe.
Israel has qualified for the EuroBasket 30 times throughout its history, making its debut in 1953 in Moscow. The team advanced to the final round, defeating Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, and ultimately placed 5th out of 17 teams. Israel has also made two appearances at the World Cup, with their first qualification in 1954, and one at the Summer Olympics, with their debut in 1952.
The Israeli national team has achieved notable success in international competitions. They have participated 28 times in the European Championship, with their best achievements being a silver medal in 1979, 5th place in 1953 and 1977, and a silver medal at the 2008 Chess Olympiad. Israel has also won two gold medals at the Asian Games in 1966 and 1974, and a bronze medal at the 2010 Olympiad. The country is known for its national under-20 team, winning back-to-back gold medals in 2018 and 2019, and producing renowned basketball coaches such as Ralph Klein and Pini Gershon.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball was introduced to Israel by a group of immigrants from the United States in the 1930s.
No, basketball was not popular in Israel at the beginning of the 1930s. Handball and soccer were among the most popular games in the country at the time.
Basketball became popular in Israel due to its association with the Jewish community. The sport was initially played by Jewish youth in urban areas, particularly in New York, and later spread throughout the country in the early 1920s.
Israel's national basketball team has participated in international competitions since at least the 1950s. They won a silver medal in the European Championship in 1979 and finished 5th in 1953 and 1977.
