Israel’s national basketball team has begun preparations for the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying window, aiming to improve on its previous window and move closer to qualification for the major tournament. Head coach Ariel Beit-Halahmi said the squad is dealing with a buildup of absences for many reasons, adding, “There is nothing we can do about these absences. We will give those who are here the confidence they need.”
Beit-Halahmi spoke about Benaya Sror, calling him “one of our strongest big men physically,” and said the team lacked that kind of presence in the previous window. “We will see him in the coming practices and hope he proves this call-up,” he said.
He also addressed the condition of Tomer Ginat, saying his situation is unclear. “He will do everything, and we know how committed he is, but it seems he is in big doubt,” Beit-Halahmi said. The coach noted that the current league finals, which are keeping Hapoel and Maccabi players unavailable, make the situation difficult, but added, “It is some kind of miracle that we are still playing basketball, but there is no point in crying about it. We hope it ends soon and we get them.”
On the NBA players missing from the roster, he said there is little the team can do because they have joined whenever possible in the past, but were not released this time. He expressed hope that they will be available for the August window. Beit-Halahmi also mentioned the late Raz Adam, saying, “He was supposed to be here today. It is a great loss, may he rest in peace.”
