Famous Israeli Basketball Players

Known as much for his basketball skills, as for his towering 6’10” height, Amar'e Stoudemire has played for major teams such as the New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns. An Olympic bronze medal winner, he now coaches the NBA team Brooklyn Nets. He also founded the Each One, Teach One foundation.

Being the son of basketball player and coach Zufer Avdija, Israeli-Serbian small forward Deni Avdija was destined to excel in the sport. The Washington Wizards player is known for his towering 6’9” frame. Beginning his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he later won 2 FIBA U20 European Championship golds for Israel.

Former player and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt has also worked as a successful basketball executive for the New York Knicks. He has won multiple European titles, such as the EuroCup with the Russian team Dynamo Saint Petersburg and the Euroleague with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Omri Casspi is a retired professional basketball player who became the first Israeli to be chosen in an NBA draft's first round when he was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2009 NBA draft. Omri Casspi also became the first Israeli player to appear in an NBA game when he made his debut for the Sacramento Kings in 2009.

T. J. Leaf is an Israeli-American professional basketball player who was last associated with the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Named an All-American as a high school senior in 2016, he made his professional debut with Indiana Pacers the following year. He currently plays for Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent. 

Zufer Avdija is a Serbian–Israeli basketball coach and retired player. As a player, he played in the Yugoslav Basketball League, representing the Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda during the 1980s. He also played for several Israeli clubs, including Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Rishon LeZio during the 1990s. Avdija also appeared in international games, representing the Yugoslavian national basketball team.

Gal Mekel is an Israeli basketball player who plays for MoraBanc Andorra. He has also appeared in the Israeli Super League, representing teams like Maccabi Haifa. In 2011 and 2013, Mekel was honored with the Israeli Super League MVP award. In 2013, he became the second Israeli to represent an NBA team when he was signed by the Dallas Mavericks.

Alex Tyus is an American-Israeli basketball player who plays for the popular Turkish professional basketball team Pınar Karşıyaka. He has also played for the Israeli national basketball team. In 2018, Alex Tyus was honored with the prestigious Israeli Basketball Premier League Finals MVP award.

Known as one of the greatest American basketball players to play overseas, Deon Thomas has represented 6 countries, including Israel, Greece, and Bulgaria. In spite of being drafted by the NBA team Dallas Mavericks, he chose to have a career away from the US. He later coached the University of Illinois team.

Sylven Landesberg is an American-Austrian basketball player who competes in the Chinese Basketball Association where he is currently representing the Zhejiang Golden Bulls. He also plays for the Austria national basketball team. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sylven Landesberg was the 2008 New York State Mr. Basketball and McDonald's High School All American in high school.

Being the son of former American basketball player Nancy Lieberman, T. J. Cline was no stranger to the sport as a child. He later represented the Richmond Spiders and then the Israeli national team. Known for his 6’9” frame, now plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Alon Stein is an Israeli-German former professional basketball player. He currently works as a coach and is affiliated with Maccabi Rishon Lezion of the Israeli Premier League as an assistant coach. He began playing basketball as a child and played in the State Youth Cup final in 1992 as a 14-year-old. He retired as a player in 2012.