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Oded Kattash revealed that Maccabi Tel Aviv was close to signing Killian Hayes, but the move did not materialize despite the club accepting his terms. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Kattash stressed the need for backcourt reinforcement, with Iffe Lundberg’s injury adding to the team’s difficulties. “We were very close to Killian Hayes. We agreed to all his conditions, but it didn’t happen. We really wanted him,” Kattash said, per Sport5. “I hope we can bring someone in quickly. We need it. At this stage, we’re looking at guards on the market.”
Israeli forward Deni Avdija is a central piece of this fresh lineup. The 25-year-old standout shined in the Preseason, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. This year, he aims to become an elite two-way presence. “My plan is to take another step defensively, especially this year,” he mentioned after team practice on Sunday. “I want to be a great two-way player.”
Ray Allen: The ICC’s arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu is a serious moment and a reminder that accountability under international law cannot depend on power, politics or position. The warrant alleges responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare, murder and persecution. trump and hegseth are next! Whatever our political views, the protection of innocent civilians and respect for international law should be principles we all should agree on. No leader should be above accountability. No civilian life should be treated as expendable. And justice should apply equally to all. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice” -MLK
The situation regarding the EuroLeague and Israeli teams remains unchanged. Maccabi Tel Aviv issued a statement on Saturday confirming that, following a meeting with Chus Bueno, they will still be unable to host competition games in their home country. As has been the case in previous seasons, the Israeli clubs will have to play their home matches away from their home country due to the situation in the Middle East and the international conflict.
Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play for the NBA has raised $250 million for the third fund of his venture capital firm, Swish Ventures, bringing the firm’s assets under management to about $800 million.
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Simply put, coming off an injury, Portland expectedly didn’t give him their blessing to play, a similar situation to that of Giannis and the Greek national team, with the Greek Freak also finishing the season injured and missing the qualifiers. As Deni Avdija wrote: “I usually don’t feel the need to explain myself, but this time it’s important to me to say a few words. Anyone who knows me and my way with the Israeli national team knows what this shirt means to me. I came to the team when I was in pain. I came when I wasn’t at 100%. I came during summers when maybe the ‘right’ thing for my personal career was to rest. I came even when I was facing a contract year, a time when any injury could change a career. I never looked for an excuse not to show up. On the contrary. As long as I could wear Israel’s shirt and step onto the court, I was there. This time, I wanted to be there just as much. But this summer I dealt with a complex back injury. An injury that those who haven’t gone through it really can’t understand what it demands, and the decision not to participate in this window wasn’t one I made alone. Portland wasn’t willing to take a risk with my health, and in the situation that arose, I simply didn’t have the option to step up and play.
Deni Avdija: “I understand disappointment. I understand criticism. When you represent a country, and there are expectations of you, that’s part of it, and I accept that. But one thing I’m not willing to have questioned is my commitment to the national team and my country. I don’t need to tell you how much I care. I think I’ve proven it time and again with actions. There’s nothing I want more than to be healthy, get back on the court, and wear Israel’s shirt again. And until then, even when I can’t be on the floor, my heart is there”.
The Liaoning Flying Leopards have announced the signings of Sharife Cooper and Kyler Edwards. The point guard, who previously played for the Chinese team in the 2023/24 season, averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 assists in 41 games with the Washington Wizards last season. Edwards is coming off an excellent year in Israel, where he averaged 18.4 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game for Hapoel HaEmek.
Fresh off meeting his new Los Angeles Lakers teammates in Slovenia, Sandro Mamukelashvili helped Georgia overcome Israel, 101–90, in Otar Korkia and Nodar Jorjikia Tbilisi Sports Palace on Sunday.
Goga Bitadze spearheaded the assault with 22 points, while Mamukelashvili showcased his versatile inside-out skill set to finish with 20. Tornike Shengelia provided elite support with 17 points and nine rebounds. In a losing effort, Roman Sorkin logged a game-high 25 points.
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El Al features Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija in its first celebrity-backed advertising campaign for the U.S. market. The campaign launched Tuesday and will continue through next spring, featuring digital, print and video ads.
Russell Westbrook is not known to be in advanced negotiations with Hapoel Tel Aviv. The report suggesting otherwise was a social media hoax. The false claim originated with an X account presenting itself as basketball reporter “Marc Jacobs.” The account asserted that Westbrook and Hapoel had mutual interest, that negotiations were progressing and that the former MVP was seriously considering playing overseas. It attributed the information to The Athletic, but no corresponding report from the outlet supported those claims. Journalist Philip Lewis subsequently identified the purported source as a parody account.
Ofer Yannay, the owner of Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, has extended a highly unconventional, real-world invitation to NBA legend Dennis Rodman to fly to Israel and conduct a specialized rebounding clinic for the squad, according to a report published by Israeli outlet Sport5 on Wednesday.
“Instead of talking about rebounding, why not invite the person who turned it into an art? I would be honored to invite you to Tel Aviv as my personal guest and as a guest of Hapoel Tel Aviv,” wrote Yannay. The eccentric proposal entices the Hall of Famer with a $100,000 appearance fee, business-class airfare, and luxury hotel accommodations for himself and up to three personal guests. Furthermore, the structured three-day itinerary would feature a dedicated instructional seminar with the players, a VIP media interview, a collaborative dinner, and exclusive access to Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife.