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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Former Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace is expected to continue his career in Europe, with at least one EuroLeague club showing strong interest in the 27-year-old American, BasketNews sources tell. According to sources, Maccabi Tel Aviv has emerged as a serious suitor for Wallace as the Israeli powerhouse continues to strengthen its backcourt ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv is back in a big way. The double-winners have signed Daniel Theis—the tough center of the German national team (2.04 meters / 6’8″, 34)—for the next two seasons. Theis played for Monaco over the past two seasons. “This is a very significant signing,” stated Club Chairman Shimon Mizrahi. “Daniel Theis is an experienced player, and his addition is a major reinforcement for Maccabi’s defensive end as well. I am glad to announce that after long negotiations, we succeeded in bringing him to Maccabi.”
Daniel Theis is in advanced talks to join Maccabi Tel Aviv, per BasketNews sources.
They remember the checkpoints that threatened them and their family. They remember the Israeli-controlled water system often being shut off. They remember their basketball games being canceled because of violence on the roads. And they remember not knowing which home on their street soldiers would raid next. “This is the life we were given,” Ibrahim says. They are determined to take the sport as far as they can — farther than their father, Ala Ali, could have ever dreamed. Ala grew up under occupation, as well. He was 13 when the First Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against occupation, broke out in 1987 following the death of four Palestinians who were hit by an Israeli vehicle at the border between Israel and Gaza. Violence erupted on the streets, and his life became a series of closures: curfews, checkpoints, chaos. “I never had the chance to live a normal teenager life,” Ala says. “I used to love to play basketball myself. We never had the chance to do that because we would come study for three hours in school and run home before they closed the checkpoints or before the demonstrations or clashes started.”