Women's Basketball League Opens With High-Profile Clash

The Athena Winner women's basketball league tips off Sunday evening with a marquee matchup between two top championship contenders: Elizur Holon hosting Maccabi Ashdod. Holon, under coach Roi Lazar, aims for a strong season after reaching the finals last year. They have added Israeli national team captain Eden Rotberg, who returns to her former club after a successful stint with Elitzur Ramla. Other key Israeli signings include experienced scorer Tal Lev and promising young player Maya Elmaliach. The team also boasts a strong foreign contingent, featuring center Stasha Carey, who has won championships in Israel with other clubs, Spanish forward Tania Atkinson, and American guard Ashley Owusu, last season's league top scorer.

Maccabi Ashdod, coached by Israeli national team coach Shira Elion, has undergone significant roster changes to contend for the title. Guard Dor Saar, the team's captain, is one of the few returning players. They have brought back American-Israeli guard Avi Meyers, the league MVP from the 2024-25 season, who will also play in European competitions with Ashdod. Austrian national team captain Anja Fuchs-Robotin also joins the team. Experienced player Tzil Vaturi arrives from Holon, along with forward Yehel Yovanovich. Ashdod's foreign signings include Serbian forward Katarina Vuckovic, American swingwoman Jazmine Jones, who has WNBA experience, and athletic forward Delaiah Daniels, a 2025 WNBA draft pick. Spanish guard Paula Estebas completes their roster.