Team Israel made a remarkable run at the EuroBasket 2025 tournament, advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in a decade. Led by rising NBA star Deni Avdija, the team showcased a bright future for Israeli basketball.

On their way to the Round of 16, Israel took down basketball powerhouse France in a stunning 82-69 victory, their first win against the French in 28 years. Israel also defeated Iceland and Belgium, earning their spot in the knockout phase.

Senior Ezra Brodesser-Akner was shocked that Israel made it so far: “What an incredible run by team Israel, getting into the knockouts!” he said.

The momentum carried Israel to the knockout rounds in Latvia, where their run ended against a dominant Greece team. Despite their strong fight, Israel lost 79-84 to a Greek squad led by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the game highlighted Israel’s ability to compete with Europe’s best, with Avdija delivering a stellar performance.

Despite the loss, Junior Aiden Barnea said, “It’s incredible to see this team playing with such heart and making us all believe in Israeli basketball again.”

While Avdija was the undeniable leader for Team Israel, other players like Tomer Ginat and Roman Sorkin provided vital support throughout the tournament. Their collective “one for all and all for one” attitude and their impressive performance against top-tier competition have given Israeli basketball fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of their national team. Their success at EuroBasket 2025 has set a new standard and shown the world the potential of Israeli basketball.