Women's Basketball League Kicks Off With High-Profile Matchup

The "Athena Winner" women's basketball league is set to tip off its new season with a highly anticipated game between Elitzur Holon and Maccabi Ashdod, both considered top contenders for the championship. The opening night game will be broadcast live.

Elitzur Holon enters the season with a revamped roster after a strong showing last year, which saw them reach the finals under coach Roi Lazar. Despite losing key young players who moved to college basketball, Holon has acquired significant talent. Notable additions include Eden Rotberg, captain of the Israeli national team, returning to her former club, and experienced Israeli shooter Tal Lev. The team also invested in youth, signing promising 18-year-old Maya Almaliach and guard Mika Kenitz. Holon's foreign signings include center Stasha Carey, who has prior success in Israel, forward Tenaya Atkinson from Spain's top league, and Ashley Owusu, last season's league top scorer.

Maccabi Ashdod, after a challenging season that ended in the semi-finals, has undergone a significant overhaul to reclaim its championship form from two seasons prior. Coach Shira Elion will lead the team, with Dor Saar being the only returning significant player from last season. The team welcomes back American-Israeli guard Abby Meyers, the league MVP from two seasons ago who led Ashdod to a domestic treble. Austrian national team captain Anja Fuchs-Robotin also joins the squad. Experienced player Tzil Vaturi arrives from Holon, and forward Yehel Yovanovitch joins from Hapoel Beer Sheva Dimona. Ashdod has also signed four foreign players, including Serbian forward Katarina Vuckovic, American swingwoman Jazmine Jones, who has WNBA experience, athletic forward Dalia Daniels, a 2025 WNBA draft pick, and Spanish guard Paula Estebas.

Ashdod will also compete in the EuroCup this season after a hiatus, with Abby Meyers expected to play in both domestic and European competitions.