The star continued his phenomenal play and once again led Portland in points and assists, coming just two rebounds short of a back-to-back triple-double. In 38 minutes on the court, he shot 6-of-15 from the field (3-of-7 from three) and made 10 of 15 free throws. He also finished with a plus-minus rating of +11.

The opponent elevated their game in the final minutes, especially on defense. Avdija committed a critical offensive foul, and in the following possession, he was blocked in a questionable no-call situation with a four-point deficit. The Canadians improved to 7-15 and ended a two-game losing streak, as Tuesday's game marked the first of a five-game homestand for them.

Portland was close again but came away empty-handed, and Tiago Splitter's team continues to mature. Tuesday's game was the first of a five-game road trip, with the next opponent the Cleveland Cavaliers, already tonight at 2:00 AM. After that comes the red-hot Detroit Pistons.

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In the past two years, a new breed of celebrities has emerged in Israel and the US – those who have taken it upon themselves to explain Israel to the world since October 7, and are doing the job excellently. Austin is among the most prominent of them. Though she's only 24, she has already become a household name as a leading advocate for Israel against the flood of hatred, filth, and antisemitism.

This week, Austin and Hassan Yousef sat together, alongside a row of leading Hebrew-speaking comedians, in a kind of post-war after-party – trying to understand together where we're going from here, and whether the end of fighting requires fresh thinking about everything related to advocacy.

The non-Jewish guy from college

Austin was born in New York and raised in Brooklyn and Long Island, daughter of an Israeli family of Iraqi origin that settled in the US. She attended the modern Orthodox North Shore Hebrew Academy for high school, and later studied communications at a private university. At age 16, she went with her class on a Holocaust trip to Poland, an experience that, by her account, greatly strengthened her Jewish identity.

When we met her this week on the top floor of the Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv, Austin was busy, as always, updating her millions of followers on various social media platforms about her interview with Israel Hayom. During her very brief visit to Israel, she managed to film a sketch for "Eretz Nehederet" playing herself as a new immigrant, upload a considerable amount of photos and videos to social media (she travels with a dedicated videographer), eat a kosher hamburger, meet family and friends, and also meet us for an interview.

When you were a child, did you ever think that at age 24 you'd be dealing with advocacy for the State of Israel, confronting such amounts of hatred, and mainly experiencing antisemitism in your life?

"Never. I grew up in a home where they made it clear to me very quickly that we are Jews and that we love Israel, because we have family and friends there. We celebrated all the holidays, I ate only kosher, I studied at a religious school, and walked around with my Star of David necklace.

"Antisemitism? Once, in college, a guy started with me, and I told him we couldn't date because I'm Jewish and he's Christian. He didn't understand what I meant, and when we met a year later, he called me 'kike.' I was shocked, smiled at him, and said, 'That's really not funny.' He said to me, 'You were condescending to me, you said you're above me because you're Jewish and you're better than me. You think you're better than everyone.' And suddenly I understood what he was referring to and why he was actually attacking me. For me, when I told him we couldn't date, it wasn't from a place of superiority, but because of the way I was raised and educated. But then I understood how he interpreted it.

"What I took from that incident is that I, as a Jew, have double responsibility, and I represent something bigger than just myself. I can't talk like that to people, because they won't understand what I mean, and it could create damage and hurt others. But until that incident, I had never felt antisemitism. I knew we were Jews, and every summer vacation we would come for a two-month visit to Israel, which for me meant lots of schnitzel and beach paddles."

Then on October 7, the bubble burst.

"I didn't understand what was happening. At first, when I watched television, I still accepted the narrative of the various channels and thought Israel was to blame for something. Then I understood what was happening and realized this was a battle for home, because what they told us on television wasn't what every person understood immediately – they murdered and kidnapped people here, how can you justify such a thing?!

"It seemed logical to me, like any normal person, to post something for the hostages, because it was the right thing to do. Not just as a Jew, but in general. But we quickly understood that wasn't the situation. At first, they still supported us, but the discourse in the US changed very quickly. I started getting responses on social media that I'm a 'Zionist pig,' that I support an apartheid state.

"First of all, I grew up thinking that Zionism isn't a stream in Judaism, but that Israel is the Jewish state, and I'd never heard the word 'apartheid' in my life, certainly not in the context of Israel. So I understood something was happening, and the need to explain what was happening just burned in me."

Did you pay a price for showing support for Israel?

"I have 3 million followers on Instagram and another half million followers on TikTok, and they stayed with me, because they were my asset from before. But then the phone calls started coming about cancellations from companies I worked with.

"For example, I had a contract with Puma, and I was at a stage in my career where everything was taking off – and here, in one moment, everything collapsed and disappeared. In a sense, that very day when everything disappeared from me was the beginning of the two best years I've had in my career in terms of exposure and followers, and the worst I've had in my life as a Jewish girl. The two are intertwined.

"I'll give another example: I was a judge in the Miss Universe pageant. The beauty queen who represented Israel spoke to me about what was happening, and I heard in her voice that she was worried. I asked the contest managers to say something that would note what happened in Israel, to express some kind of solidarity on social media, which is the minimal thing they could do.

"They explained to me that everyone needs to feel comfortable in the contest and that it's forbidden to harm the security of the contestants, so they wouldn't raise the issue and wouldn't say anything. So I told them, 'Yes, but the Israeli contestant doesn't feel secure.' It was clear this was over between us, but I really didn't care."

Host of football events

Her meteoric rise must be understood: After completing her communications studies, Austin had already launched a popular independent interview show featuring NBA stars from her Instagram page at the age of 21. The idea had come to her during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The beautiful and audacious girl, who possessed a keen understanding of basketball, immediately attracted the attention of decision-makers on various channels. Later, she began broadcasting an interview show called "The Emily Austin Show," and all the big league stars came to her to be interviewed. She worked for Sports Illustrated, hosting football events, and appeared regularly on MTV, as well as hosting a popular basketball podcast. She also wrote for Newsweek magazine and frequently appeared as a panelist on the conservative Fox News Channel.

In the past two years, after she began expressing her opinions and worldview, Austin connected to her roots in a way she had never thought about - as an Israel advocate. She serves as a communications consultant to the Israeli delegation at the UN; changes the minds of NBA stars who call to ask her questions about the situation; became one of the leading supporters of President Trump, who thanked her for her efforts; and now she's part of the support campaign for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo in next week's New York City mayoral elections, which are stirring the Jewish world – yes, the fateful elections where the anti-Israeli Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is leading.

Curses on mobile alongside support

This week, as she walked around the Carmel Market, Tel Avivians surrounded her with love, and even gave her yarmulkes with the portrait of the US president, so she could pass them to Trump the next time she meets him.

Now that the war in Gaza has ended, or at least been halted, how do you think your advocacy battles will look? It seems we're at the threshold of a new struggle.

"I want to throw the word 'advocacy' out of the discourse. It's over, I'm sick of it, I'm not willing to hear about it anymore. We don't need to explain anything else – the war is over. What do I need to explain, the existence of the State of Israel? If they ask me something related to Israel's existence, I'll simply answer: Just because. We're done explaining to the world that we have been a state since 1948."

How can you say such a thing when even you yourself continue to pay a price every day for your support of Israel?

"You mean every minute, not every day. Look what's happening to me on my phone, in the messages I'm getting right now."

Austin pulls out her mobile phone and shows her inbox. On one side, curses and racial and antisemitic slurs. On the other hand, support from Jews and non-Jews. Exactly half and half.

"This has been like this for two years. Those who want to talk, I talk with them and explain to them. There's a lot of ignorance in the US, and those who want to listen – I'll usually convince them to support Israel. This happened to me with basketball stars and coaches as well. When they tell me 'Israel is a racist state,' I show them photos and data of blacks or Arabs who work and live in Israel, and then they just shut up. Some actually continue to attack, and then I understand it's something basic from them against Jews, and not really related to October 7."

How secure do you feel in the US today?

"Look, as long as Donald Trump is in power, I know I can walk around with my Star of David without any problem anywhere, and even if people think what they think, they won't say anything. As long as the Republicans are in power, we can be calm, and even when Vice President JD Vance replaces Trump in the future, the situation will be the same. But what will happen after that? What future do we Jews have in the US?

"There are nights when, before I fall asleep, I think where we would be now as Jews, where the Israelis would be, if Kamala Harris had been elected president and not Trump. It's terrifying to think that she or someone like her would be president of the US. We Republicans believe in law, believe in our police and in state institutions, but with the Democrats, everything happened in reverse, especially in my generation, Gen Z."

The future indeed doesn't look bright, certainly not in the US, and particularly not in New York, where you work and operate.

"At least one prominent thing we took off the table: there's no such thing as hating Israel and saying 'but I have no problem with Jews.' That's nonsense, we understood that. They hate us, like they always hate us. I saw this already in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, when they explained to me they have no problem with me but with Israel's policy, and I still thought then that maybe there was something in what they were saying.

"In high school, I was on a trip to the extermination camps in Poland, and that was a life-changing experience for me. But it was portrayed as something from the distant past, something less relevant to my current life, as an American Jew. I felt that such things couldn't happen today, and that they were mainly related to my basic identity, rather than an existential threat to me.

"Now we're talking about a different reality. When you tell me that in your travels abroad, you change your name to another name in the travel booking app, aren't we in 1930s Berlin? That's it, we're giving up to them? We went back to being ashamed of being Jews? No way! And if we pay a price for it, then we pay. But we won't let them win."

The sketch about Yad Vashem

As mentioned, this week Austin filmed for "Eretz Nehederet," alongside Omer Zion playing Donald Trump, in a sketch showing what will happen if Mamdani, the Muslim candidate likely to win the Big Apple mayoral election, actually wins – and she'll be forced to immigrate to the Holy Land. Additionally, she's expected to appear in a new film project produced by Yoav Gross, which will focus on the Mossad's pager operation that dismantled Hezbollah a year ago. She is also expected to continue participating in important ceremonies and conferences throughout the US.

In the world we live in, and certainly in American culture, the battle for young people is waged through social media. Austin, together with many others, stands at the forefront of the struggle, even though it sometimes seems that in the flood of ignorance and lack of knowledge in American society, we're talking about a battle that will never really end. At least it led her to film for Israel's leading satire show.

Did you know "Eretz Nehederet"? Did you dream that life would lead you to participate in it?

"Since I was a child, I dreamed of participating in 'Eretz Nehederet.' My parents watched it regularly, and when I didn't understand the jokes in Hebrew, they made sure to explain them to me. Every week we would sit and watch together.

"There was one sketch I kept returning to, about Project Taglit. You see American teenagers visiting Yad Vashem, and they don't understand what Yad Vashem is – yet they sing and dance. My parents would tell me, 'Look, you'll be like them,' and laugh. I always explained to everyone around me that 'Eretz Nehederet' is Israel's 'Saturday Night Live,' but since most of the time I was the only Jew and Israeli in the environment, they didn't understand what I wanted from them.

"When Molly Segev called me and invited me to come film – I knew this was something I had to do, because I've been dreaming about it for years."

"Whoever doesn't vote – will regret it"

Let's return to seriousness for a moment: Mamdani's expected election should worry us, shouldn't it?

"Absolutely, it's very worrying. I'm working with many others, so he loses the election, but the polls show he's about to win. My generation believes that candidates who make promises without backing them up are the epitome of this. Free public transportation, freezing vegetable and fruit prices, fundamental change in police structure. New York could become Gotham City.

"I'm going crazy from one thing: how do only a million Jews in the largest Jewish city in the world come out to vote? Where are all the other millions? It's like they don't care. Only on the Democratic side are they excited about Mamdani's promises, and feel sorry for him when he tells how Muslims suffered from Islamophobia after the 9/11 attacks. You understand where we've reached? Ultimately, he's the victim in the story. But believe me, if he's elected, all the Jews who didn't vote will regret it very much. Some of them will find themselves very quickly on the plane to Israel, immigrating – and not for the right reasons."

And what about you? Are you thinking of immigrating to Israel? You eat kosher, didn't date a non-Jewish guy in college. Come on, you'll have schnitzel and beach paddles here for free.

"I'll tell you the truth: I'm American. Israel, for me, is the home of summer months, and of the best experiences I had in childhood, but I tremble with fear every time I'm here.

"I travel to places and check how far they are from the West Bank, how far they are from Gaza. Look how many enemies there are around, and if that's not enough, there are also sirens from Yemen.

"It's clear to me that I'll continue coming here even when I'm a mother, with my children. But I'm aware of the reality around me, of course. If the situation under Mamdani worsens – I won't wait like the Jews in Germany for them to come take me, I'll know to flee in time. This time, unlike the past, we have a state. In my dreams, I run for president of the US. If someone like Kamala Harris ran, there's no reason I shouldn't run."

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Avdija fell just one rebound shy of becoming the only Portland Trail Blazers player in franchise history to surpass 20 points and five rebounds in the season's opening four games.

Deandre Ayton, who shared the court with Avdija in Portland last season, "blamed" Deni for the Lakers' defeat. "Every shot he made he just kept rubbing it in," Ayton said.

NBA reporters expressed strong admiration for the Israeli's showing. "Deni Avdija is the best deal in the NBA. What an acquisition," Portland online persona ChadinPortland wrote. "Avdija is a completely legitimate All-Star," the Bowrld account, followed by tens of thousands, declared. CuffsTheLegend posted, "I'll say it again: Deni Avdija is the most underrated player in the National Basketball Association."

Reporter David Mackay suggested that one of Portland's key decisions involves starting the Israeli while bringing Jeremy Grant off the bench. "By moving Deni Avdija into the starting five this year and shifting Jeremy Grant to the bench, Portland has positioned two players competing for NBA awards. I'd be surprised if Deni doesn't receive votes for Most Improved Player, or if Jeremy doesn't capture Sixth Man of the Year," Mackay stated.

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An unusual video, apparently filmed at a sports court in Damascus, shows Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani) and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani playing basketball, surprisingly dressed in formal business attire.

A video showing Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani playing basketball on a court in Damascus becomes a trend on social media. pic.twitter.com/JNxmwHma8F

— Levant24 (@Levant_24_) May 6, 2025

The two officials are seen dribbling, exchanging passes, and shooting at the basket, with President al-Sharaa making a clean three-pointer, displaying unexpected athletic skills. The court is completely empty, with no audience or spectators present, just the two men and the orange basketball.

The video quickly went viral across social media platforms throughout the Arab world, triggering a variety of reactions. Many users expressed surprise at the president's shooting accuracy, while others questioned whether this might be a calculated public relations effort designed to soften his image at a time when the country continues to struggle with internal conflicts.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to their first Olympic men's basketball win since 2008, defeating Australia 77-71 and finishing third in their group to advance to the quarterfinals. He scored 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, expressing pride in representing his country and having his children witness his Olympic journey.

Antetokounmpo was initially hesitant but ultimately felt honored to be chosen as the flag bearer for Greece at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball championship bracket has been set, with the United States, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece led by Antetokounmpo, Serbia led by Nikola Jokic, and Australia advancing to the quarterfinals.

The United States finished 3-0 in the group stage with a +64 scoring margin, defeating Puerto Rico 104-83 in their final group game, locking up the No. 1 overall seed. They will face Brazil in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal matchup against Serbia or Australia.

Germany defeated France 85-71, with both teams booking quarterfinal places. Canada also advanced with a 3-0 record, defeating Spain with late-game heroics, while Brazil secured third place in Group B by beating Japan 102-84.

The quarterfinal losers will be eliminated, while the winners play in the semifinals on Thursday. The gold and bronze medal games in Paris are scheduled for next Saturday.

Antetokounmpo leads the men's basketball tournament at 27 points per game. Greece's coach complained about unsportsmanlike treatment and lack of respect for Antetokounmpo during the tournament.

Sources: Washington Post, Jumper Brasil, Greek Reporter, HotNewHipHop, Sports Illustrated, Last Word On Sports, BVM Sports, Seattle PI, The Score, Pinkvilla, Ekathimerini, Cyprus Mail, CBS Sports, Post and Courier, Las Vegas Sun, Outkick.

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Greece's men's basketball team to quarterfinals in Paris Olympics appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

It has been difficult for the sports world in Israel to remain untouched by the tragedy of Oct. 7. Every game, stadium, and broadcast has inevitably served as a solemn memorial for those who, mere moments ago, were fans in the stands but are now gone forever. Celebrations are muted, as the realm of sports refuses to be contained, bleeding into the solemnity of remembrance.

Last week, as Hapoel Jerusalem celebrated winning the Israeli State Cup in basketball, the players invited 18-year-old Ofir Engel, released by Hamas in November after being taken hostage on Oct. 7, to join them in lifting the trophy. The entire match was dedicated to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who remains a hostage of Hamas, with thousands of Hapoel's red-clad fans donning shirts bearing his image.

"In the context of life itself since Oct. 7, sports is meaningless. But it's only when you encounter the fans, families, and people across the country that you suddenly understand sports' profound power and importance. And that is why it must continue," says Matan Adelson, at 25 the youngest owner of a professional sports team in Israel.

Adelson, speaking publicly for the first time since announcing his purchase of Hapoel Jerusalem a year ago, aspires to reshape both Israeli and European basketball through the club, which he aims to build into an empire.

The scion of the Adelson family has kept an extremely low profile over the past year, with little in the public record about the youngest son of Dr. Miriam Adelson and the late Sheldon Adelson (full disclose: Dr. Adelson is the publisher of Israel Hayom). Occasionally, he asserted his presence in the sports arena through displays of assertiveness, such as Twitter battles with sporting rivals.

Now, Adelson openly discusses the turbulent year since acquiring the team, candidly acknowledging missteps while sharing that he managed to shed 66 pounds over two years. A Stanford graduate, he expresses grave concerns over rising campus antisemitism. Above all, Adelson is driven to prove Hapoel Jerusalem is not a fleeting fancy but a profound investment by revealing his vision for the team's future.

Parental guidance

Adelson, born in 1999 in Los Angeles, spent the majority of his formative years in Las Vegas, two years younger than his brother Adam, a successful race car driver in the US, and two decades younger than his elder sisters, Sivan and Yasmin. From infancy, he was immersed in the family's business and philanthropic environment, describing the Jewish community of the West Coast as "a bubble: everyone around me was Jewish. We knew that there were others in the world, but our immediate surroundings were entirely Jewish, and it was paramount to my mom that we were raised with Israeli values. Consequently, I was in the Israeli Scouts, and she conversed with me in Hebrew –  and, of course, we visited Israel frequently."

At a young age, Adelson professes, he developed a profound affinity for basketball. "During my childhood, family friends kindled my love for the Los Angeles Lakers, and one day I approached my father, declaring my aspiration to become the owner of the Lakers when I grew up. He elucidated that the Lakers are already an established brand, and with or without me, they will consistently maintain their elite status. Therefore, it would be more prudent for me to acquire a less well-off brand and elevate it to the pinnacle – in that process, I would also gain invaluable knowledge."

Q: Now that you manage a substantial business yourself, what advice from your parents has aided you in leading the team?

"My late father consistently emphasized that a thriving business hinges on the individuals you assemble and surround yourself with. He underscored the importance of selecting individuals with superior intellect, thereby providing a valuable resource for consultation. However, after assembling a capable team, it is equally crucial to take the necessary measures to retain them. My father always maintained that if they demonstrate loyalty to you, you have an obligation to reciprocate that loyalty."

Adelson chose to illustrate his point with an anecdote from the coronavirus period.

VIP Passenger in the car today. Buckle Up! pic.twitter.com/ksk3elc98r

— Matan Adelson (@MatanAdelson) May 18, 2024

"The tourism industry worldwide experienced a catastrophic collapse, and numerous individuals in Las Vegas resorted to laying off their employees. However, my father did not terminate a single worker or reduce anyone's salary. This was one of the most significant lessons I learned from him. He said that our family possesses resources that others do not, and therefore, we are responsible for caring for them, particularly if they work so hard."

Adelson revealed that he first truly encountered antisemitism while studying Economics at Stanford. 

"It's not that I was unaware of the existence of antisemites in the world, as that was evident to me, but there I confronted it directly. It manifested in waves. During my first year, there was a significant presence of antisemitism, and one could discern the profound impact of BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement] and their efforts on the younger generation, as well as the ignorance pervasive among young Americans."

In the second year, he recounted, the hostility subsided, "but I had a very close friend in college, one of whose friends was Palestinian. I witnessed how she inundated her with blatantly false information. So if you inquire about the current situation on campuses in the US – I'm truly not surprised, as we foresaw this development.

"The protesters on campuses, of course, attempt to justify their actions as anti-Zionist rather than antisemitic. However, anyone with a modicum of sense recognizes that there is no distinction; it's merely their ignorance that leads them to perceive it that way."

After completing his studies, Adelson joined investment firms, although, if he could "turn back time, I would have pursued computer science. Upon finishing my degree, I questioned what my profession was and what the university had equipped me with for the rest of my life. Truthfully, I cannot provide a satisfactory answer. I do not feel that Stanford gave me the necessary tools to embark on a professional career."

"The Euroleague? It's another milestone on the journey."

We convened in the offices of Hapoel Jerusalem in Givat Ram, Jerusalem. Adelson's ambitions soar high, and the team's trophy case is becoming increasingly crowded. Adelson was accompanied by a documentary film crew, which may potentially result in another sports documentary in the genre currently inundating streaming platforms.

As mentioned, this was his first major interview, and he appeared apprehensive yet understanding, as someone from a family for whom the spotlight is not unfamiliar, that this is part of the game.

Q: How would you summarize your first year at Hapoel Jerusalem?

"It has been a year of ups and downs, with both positive and challenging moments. I am still learning about the sport here and discovering many areas that need improvement. Next week, the final part of the season begins with the playoff games, and we are yet to know the exact day or time of our matches. This lack of organization perplexes me; it's difficult to foster a strong sports culture or a competitive basketball league without proper scheduling."

Q: This is a characteristic of Israeli sports and particularly Israeli basketball.

"This is an issue that needs addressing. There are basketball arenas in the Premier League that are not up to standard, and the league's marketing efforts are insufficient. There is also a lack of private team ownership, with too many teams being controlled by mayors. When a mayor changes, a team can suddenly be disbanded. This is not a sustainable way to achieve long-term success.

"I acknowledge that there is criticism of me as well, and I make mistakes. However, the key is to learn from them and implement changes that will benefit all of Israeli basketball."

Q: Some issues can't be fixed, such as Maccabi Tel Aviv's long-standing dominance in basketball.

"I am aware of the history and the fact that the [Recanati family,] owners of Maccabi Tel Aviv also own Israel's main sports channel, which I find peculiar. Ofer Yannay, [owner of the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team,] claims that Maccabi Tel Aviv's advantage was gained through unkosher means. While I do not know whether this is true, it is clear that Maccabi Tel Aviv resists competition." 

"There wasn't a specific moment; it was a process. We were approached by every major basketball league in the world with offers. We even received an offer from a prominent soccer club in the Premier League. But I asked myself – what connection do I have to London? What connection do I have to football? What bond do I have with that country?

Q: Maccabi's management has also prevented Hapoel Jerusalem from entering the Euroleague, the premier basketball league in Europe, for years.

"I have met with the Federman and Recanati families, [who co-own Maccabi Tel Aviv,] but not with Shimon Mizrahi, [their chairman.] I explained the significance of having two Israeli teams in the Euroleague, not only for the sport but also for Israel. It would even benefit Maccabi's interests. They disagreed and opposed our position. However, I'm not looking for Maccabi's permission. Ultimately, I will do what is right for Hapoel Jerusalem. Their opposition only strengthens my resolve."

"For me, the Euroleague represents another significant milestone in our journey. If this league does not want us, they will miss out on the potential and power of Hapoel Jerusalem, and another league will benefit from our participation. Professionally, we made a strategic error last year by staying in FIBA's basketball league, [the Euroleague's competitor,] but financially, it was beneficial. We saved a substantial amount by not hosting games in Israel and having fewer matches. As I said, I have made mistakes and will continue to do so as we progress."

Q: One of Maccabi Tel Aviv's long-standing strategies in basketball has been their ability to acquire the best players from rival teams. There are rumors that you are considering their coach, Oded Kattash, for next year.

"Oded Kattash is just one of our options. I have not yet had a meeting with him. We have many prominent names on our list, both for the coaching position and for players. Acquiring Maccabi Tel Aviv's players or coaches would not only strengthen us but also weaken our rivals, offering a dual advantage.

"Maccabi is unaccustomed to competition for players and coaches, but the landscape of Israeli basketball is evolving. Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv are making significant investments, and we will continue to do so in the coming summer. From what I understand, Maccabi's owners have not invested heavily in the club for quite some time. I can assure them that they face challenges ahead of the next season."

"We'll impact European basketball as well"

Many were surprised when Adelson decided to purchase an Israeli basketball team, considering the relatively small market it operates in. Another branch of the family chose to acquire the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, a team currently competing in the Western Conference Finals and harboring championship aspirations under its new ownership.

Q: With all the options available to you, why choose an Israeli basketball team? Do you recall the moment you decided on this?

"There wasn't a specific moment; it was a process. We were approached by every major basketball league in the world with offers. We even received an offer from a prominent soccer club in the Premier League. But I asked myself – what connection do I have to London? What connection do I have to football? What bond do I have with that country?

"I wouldn't have bought an NBA team; I have no national sentiment for that. As an Israeli and a Jew, I'm pleased that my family [sister Sivan and brother-in-law Patrick Dumont] bought a team in the NBA, but for me, buying a sports team was a Zionist act."

"I wouldn't have bought an NBA team; I have no national sentiment for that. As an Israeli and a Jew, I'm pleased that my family [sister Sivan and brother-in-law Patrick Dumont] bought a team in the NBA, but for me, buying a sports team was a Zionist act."

Q: Do you consult with the family in Dallas? After all, there is a significant difference between the Pais Arena (where Hapoel Jerusalem plays) in Jerusalem and the standards of the NBA.

"There is no cooperation between us, and there won't be. Perhaps in the future, we can organize an exhibition game between Hapoel Jerusalem and Dallas, but for now, our connection is limited to attending some of their games. Of course, if we have questions or need ideas, it's reassuring to know we have someone in the family to consult with, as they are part of one of the best, most experienced, and largest clubs in the world.

"But I don't want Hapoel Jerusalem fans to have unrealistic expectations: our focus is on becoming the best team in Israel and then making an impact in European basketball. If we can occasionally play against American teams, why not?"

Q: Since you took the position, the imagination of every basketball fan in Israel has been thrilled, and everyone is eager to see which superstars will join Hapoel Jerusalem.

"When we arrived, the previous owner, Eyal Chomsky, said we had a great coach [Aleksandar Džikić, who left Israel due to the war] and ensuring that everything fits his system. Even if I had brought Steph Curry here, he wouldn't have played if he didn't fit into the coach's system. I agree that not every player is suitable for Hapoel Jerusalem, and even if LeBron James played for us, it might not work.

"But our intention for next year, and in general, is to bring in big names. We understand this will require a significant financial investment. However, it will ensure that our arena is filled with enthusiastic fans."

Adelson expressed a deep connection to the passion and energy of European basketball fans compared to the more subdued and politically correct atmosphere of American fans.

"My girlfriend and I sometimes attend NBA games, and she finds them boring. You can't compare the Hapoel Jerusalem crowd and European fans in general to those in the US. Imagine an arena in Jerusalem full of fans who never stop singing and cheering. It's the fans who make you want to stay, and you don't find fans like that in the US."

Q: What do the players think of Jerusalem?

"Every player who comes here needs to understand that they are going to live in Jerusalem and grasp the significance of representing a team that plays in this city, with all that it entails."

When Adelson walked around the Mahane Yehuda market, where he also posed for photographs for this article, it was clear that he was already well-known. Moshe Lion, the mayor, also took the time to meet with the owner after the victory. Adelson admitted that one of his biggest challenges is related to the broader challenges facing Jerusalem.

"It's no secret that many young Jerusalemites who support the team eventually leave the city, and their connection to the team changes. They don't attend all our home games, and we are constantly brainstorming how to keep them engaged, buying season tickets, and supporting us even when they no longer live in the city. From a marketing perspective, this is an issue that hasn't been addressed in the past.

"And I'll tell you something else – we currently have die-hard fans who never stop cheering, even when we're losing. I know that when we win, more people come, but I want to avoid having a 'concert crowd' that only shows up for the victories. Instead, I want a crowd that won't stop cheering, like our dedicated core of fans who jump and cheer behind the basket every game."

"And I'll tell you something else – today we have diehard fans who don't stop cheering even when we're losing. I know that more fans show up when there are wins, but I want it to not be a concert crowd like some of the teams have, who only join for the wins, but rather a crowd that won't stop cheering – like that large core that jumps regularly behind the basket."

You're certainly familiar with the ownership history of Hapoel Jerusalem. Arcadi Gaydamak, Guma Aguiar, Uri Alon. They all tried and eventually left. "I can't say how many years I'll stay in Jerusalem – because it's not interesting. My goals right now are that I won't need to work 25 hours a day around the team. I have no time to do anything else, and I already want to know that even if I'm in the US, things here are running as they should. We're not there yet. If someone thinks the question of whether Jerusalem will make the Euroleague or not will affect my decision to stay here – they are very mistaken.

"I have many goals for Hapoel Jerusalem, especially regarding the club's social impact. The Euroleague is just one of those goals. I'm calm because it's clear to me that if the Euroleague is built on the money of Dubai and the Gulf states, the league won't last long."

Q; Do you hope for Maccabi Tel Aviv's success in the Euroleague?

"After the tough past year, when all the Israeli teams played outside of Israel and we suffered such hatred, the success of the Israeli teams abroad is important. When Maccabi Tel Aviv plays in Europe I'm for them, when Hapoel Tel Aviv plays in Europe I'm for them. They represent Israel, and in the situation we live in today, that's very important. First and foremost we are Jews and Zionists.

"They receive important values"

To be an owner of a sports team in Israel in such a difficult year of war is no easy task. Adelson may not be publicly politically active, and you won't see him in that arena, but he clarifies that the war has sharpened many insights for him. "Many know my parents' political views," he says. "I don't want to turn this into a political interview, but my views are certainly similar to my parents'. If there's one thing that has become clearer to me this past year, it's the understanding of how important military service is.

To be an owner of a sports team in Israel in such a difficult year of war is no easy task. Adelson may not be publicly politically active, and you won't see him in that arena, but he clarifies that the war has sharpened many insights for him. "Many know my parents' political views," he says. "I don't want to turn this into a political interview, but my views are certainly similar to my parents'. If there's one thing that has become clearer to me this past year, it's the understanding of how important military service is.

"Let me tell you a story: When my sister's son (the sister is Yasmin Lukatz, the CEO and founder of ICON and the founder and president of Code for Israel) was about to enlist in the army, it took me some time to understand how right that choice was for him. Because the IDF not only defends the country or provides future skills if you're in a certain field, like Unit 8200 – the army gives young Israelis something that exists nowhere else in the world: It instills values, it makes young people more mature. If the US had mandatory military service, even for a year, we would see a dramatic change in the character of American youth. They would receive important values and become different people from what we see today on American university campuses.

"In that sense, the year that I've lived in Israel has completely changed my perspective. The way I look at the military and the meaning of military service is not the way I looked at it when I was just an American Jewish boy."

Q: Since you brought it up, do you feel more Israeli or American?

"I'll tell the truth: I understand Hebrew very well, but I prefer to speak English. Let them think I don't understand a word of Hebrew, it's good for business," he laughs. "I live on Rothschild in Tel Aviv, I have a team in Jerusalem, and of course – I have an Israeli girlfriend. But when I look at my future I know that at some point I'll live in the US. That's where I was born, where I grew up, and that's my background. It's clear to me that Israel will be a very significant part of my life, and it's not like I'll be able to spend a whole year of my life without being in Israel.

"You see how the entire country rallies for the captives and pitches in for one another; these are things that don't exist elsewhere in the world. I contributed my small part this year and hoped to make an impact, but many people around me did amazing things that anyone looking from the outside stood in awe of."

Q; So what did Israel actually do for you personally?

"If there's one thing I've improved at since being here – I definitely feel more brazen than I was when I arrived in Israel. It's something I've learned from Israelis, and it's actually nice, although I still have room for improvement in that too."

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Lebron James shocked the world after breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's score record, surpassing the 38,387 points in the regular phase.

The event was covered in different media outlets around the world, especially in Latin America, this is a huge achievement considering that the king sport in the region is soccer.

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James managed to appear in the headlines of well-known newspapers such as El Comercio or Clarin, which made a special space for the star between big names like Lionel Messi,  Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

Although basketball is not a popular sport in the region in recent years has gained popularity, a process that has evolved since Koby Bryant appeared in various commercials alongside Messi. Despite the fact that soccer is the most talked about topic, basketball is captivating more audiences in Latin America over time.

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Lakers star LeBron James, the second-highest scorer in NBA history, was documented on social media overnight Sunday at a religious event in New York, where he received a personal blessing from Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, a well-known Kabbalist.

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According to a number of reports from the event, James decided to attend the wedding of the son of businessman Jay Schottenstein, the owner of the American Eagle clothing retail chain. At the wedding, James met Pinto, who reportedly counseled him back in 2010 while James was still paying for the Miami Heat and was at a career crossroads.

A Jewish wedding.
Rabbi Pinto.
And yes, that is Lebron...

So apparently @KingJames has been meeting with R' Yishayahu Pinto all these years for getting Brachos pic.twitter.com/NxqkgiFRsn

— Afshine Emrani MD FACC (@afshineemrani) May 23, 2022

Reports at the time said that James contributed over $100,000 to Pinto's Shuva Israel organization and has remained in contact with the rabbi.

Seven years ago, Pinto was convicted on charges of bribery and interfering with justice, and was sentenced to a year in prison.

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In a historic first, the Israeli and Moroccan basketball associations agreed on Thursday to sign a cooperation agreement during a Zoom conversation between the two parties.

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The deal will be signed at a special ceremony in Morocco in the spring and will constitute the first cooperation of its kind between Israel and an Arab nation. A symbolic basketball game will also take place.

The president and secretary-general of the Israel Basketball Association Amiram Halevy and Yaacov Ben Shoshan and former basketball players of Moroccan origin Shimon Amsalem and Eran Atiya participated in the Zoom call, as did President of Morocco's Basketball Association Moustafa Aourach and other Moroccan officials.

The agreement is expected to include professional, social, and educational ties, with Aourach having said one of Morocco's goals is to learn from Israeli basketball achievements.

"We are proud of the cooperation that has been forged between the two sides," Halevi said. "Sports in general, and basketball in particular, is a great way to bridge gaps and bring people together. We believe this cooperation will benefit both parties."

The Moroccan delegation said that Israeli basketball player Mohamed Abu Arisha, who has recently signed a contract to play for a team based in Morocco, will be invited to the ceremony in the spring.

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Former basketball player and now coach assistant Naomi Kolodny will be making history on Sunday when she will become the head coach of the Maccabi Ashdod team in a national league game against Maccabi Hod Hasharon.

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Kolodny, 39, will be temporarily replacing former Maccabi Ashdod head coach Offer Rahimi, who has been dismissed due to an unsuccessful start of the season.

Of the 10 games the team has played since the launch of the season, it lost eight.

Sunday's game will make Kolodny the first female head coach to oversee a men's team in the national league.

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