Hapoel Tel Aviv just pulled off something big. Not just for their team, not just for Israel — but for European basketball. And while they celebrated on the court, two Jewish stars began their own climb into NBA spotlight.
The team’s EuroCup title win has opened a new chapter in Israeli basketball. Meanwhile, the NBA Draft may soon feature not one, but two Israeli-American names with real first-round potential. Let’s break it down.
A Title That’s About More Than Basketball
Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Gran Canaria 103–94 on April 18 to seal a clean 2–0 sweep in the EuroCup finals. That win didn’t just give them a shiny trophy — it gave them a ticket to the EuroLeague, Europe’s top basketball competition.
It’s the first time since 2004 that an Israeli club has claimed this tournament.
What made the victory hit even harder was the emotional context behind it. Hapoel’s owner, Ofer Yanai, didn’t mince words after the buzzer. “I know that for you, we beat Valencia and the Canaries, but for me, we beat Hamas,” he said.
To many, that statement echoed far beyond sports. In the wake of recent violence and deep national scars, the win was about pride. About spirit. About pushing back against despair with something joyful.
And now, Hapoel joins Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague — giving Israel not just one, but two teams on Europe’s biggest basketball stage.
The Danny Wolf Buzz Is Real
Back in the U.S., another storyline has grabbed attention. Danny Wolf — a 7-foot Israeli-American center who just wrapped up a standout season at the University of Michigan — is headed to the NBA Draft.
Wolf led Michigan to the Sweet 16. That alone would’ve turned heads. But it’s his style of play that’s got scouts talking.
He’s mobile, confident with the ball, and shoots with range. ESPN currently ranks him as the No. 19 prospect in this year’s draft. That’s squarely in first-round territory.
There’s something striking about Wolf’s presence, too. He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. But he plays like someone who knows he belongs — and that calm confidence might just carry him deep into a pro career.
One NBA scout told The Athletic: “He’s got that glue-guy DNA, but in a 7-foot frame with real skill.”
Ben Saraf Isn’t Quietly Sneaking Into the Draft — He’s Charging In
Just a few spots behind Wolf on ESPN’s rankings? That’d be Ben Saraf — another Israeli name you’ll probably be hearing a lot more of this summer.
Saraf, a 6-foot-6 point guard, has been playing professionally in Germany. His smooth playmaking and IQ on the floor have made him a favorite among international scouts. ESPN ranks him at No. 23.
He’s been expected to enter this draft for a while now. On April 28, he made it official.
“This is the right time for me,” Saraf told ESPN. That was it. Simple, clear, confident.
He’s not wrong, either. He checks off a lot of boxes:
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Strong court vision
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Poise under pressure
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Physical build suited for both ends of the floor
If both Wolf and Saraf go in the first round, it would mark the first time in NBA history that two Israeli players are selected that high in the same draft.
A New Arrival: Meet Omer Mayer, Purdue’s Next Israeli Star
While Wolf heads for the pros, another Israeli teenager is just getting started on American soil.
Omer Mayer, just 18, has committed to Purdue University — a school that knows a thing or two about building elite big men.
Mayer’s a point guard though. And a sharp one. He played previously with Maccabi Tel Aviv and has been considered among the top international recruits this year.
One Purdue fan blog called him “Europe’s best-kept secret.” That might not last long.
His game is efficient and fast. He’s not afraid to take risks, but rarely reckless. Think early Ricky Rubio — with maybe more scoring upside.
Even with NIL deals and pro options abroad, Mayer chose the college path. That alone says a lot about how serious he is about development.
Israeli Basketball’s Global Impact: Bigger Than One Season
What’s happening right now feels like more than a fluke. Between club success in Europe and rising individual stars, Israel is starting to feel like a true player in global hoops.
And for young Jewish athletes watching from afar — whether in Tel Aviv or Brooklyn or Berlin — it’s powerful. Representation matters. Seeing someone with your background doing big things on big stages? That sticks.
Even if they don’t know the names yet, there’s a new generation forming roots in two basketball worlds — NCAA and EuroLeague, NBA and youth academies. And right now, Israel’s presence is only growing.
