By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The head coach of the senior national team of Israel, Ariel Beit-Halahmy, selected 20 players as candidates for the final squad for the upcoming EuroBasket 2025.
The Israeli Basketball Association presented the preliminary list on Sunday.
With Deni Avdija revealing his intention to return to international action following the 2024-25 journey with the Portland Trail Blazers, he is now officially confirmed.
The Israeli Association is also considering options to feature T.J. Leaf, a veteran of 151 NBA games, as a regular member of the roster, instead of covering the only available naturalized slot, as noted.
Preliminary squad of Israel
- Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Oz Blayzer (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Ethan Burg (Bnei PenLink Herzliya)
- Khadeen Carrington (Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem)
- Tomer Ginat (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Roi Huber (Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem)
- Yair Kravitz (Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona)
- Gur Lavy (Hapoel Gilboa Galil)
- T.J. Leaf (Nanjing Monkey Kings)
- Nimrod Levi (Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem)
- Yam Madar (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Rafi Menco (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv)
- Guy Palatin (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Ben Saraf (ratiopharm Ulm)
- Itay Segev (Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona)
- Roman Sorkin (Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv)
- Bar Timor (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Noam Yaacov (Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv)
- Idan Zalmanson (Hapoel Netanel Holon)
- Yovel Zoosman (Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem)
Israel is scheduled to compete in Group D of the preliminary round, facing Iceland, Poland, France, Belgium, and Slovenia in Katowice from August 28 to September 4. Making it to the next round as one of the top four seeds would switch from pool play to single-elimination matchups in Riga, with the knockout stage to be played from September 6 to 14.
“We are excited about the important summer ahead of us, especially in the complex situation our country finds itself in,” mentioned selector Beit-Halahmy, “Representing the country at the international stage is a great privilege and we are committed to giving our all for the cause.”
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv’s Tamir Blatt was among the notable absences.
“We have been preparing for this championship for over two years. Each of the players who were invited, and also some who after deliberations were left out of the squad, deserve to be on the final squad that goes to the tournament,” Beit-Halahmy commented on selections, “The thinking is always directed towards choosing the team that will help the team be at its best.”