Maya Elmalih, a 18-year-old guard on Israel’s under-20 national team and one of the country’s most promising young women’s basketball players, signed on Tuesday with Elizur Holon, the reigning runner-up in the women’s league. The signing was first reported by Sport5. Elmalih stands 1.70 meters tall and developed in the youth system of Ramat HaSharon.
Last season, Elmalih helped Ramat HaSharon win the girls’ championship and was named to the league’s season quintet. She also contributed to the club’s senior team winning the Federation Cup in the National League. In the girls’ U18 league, she was named Defensive Player of the Year and made the season quintet after averaging 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.7 assists per game. She was also the MVP of the final series.
Elmalih has played for all of Israel’s youth national teams, from cadets and girls to the under-20 side. With the girls’ national team, she was part of a historic run that qualified Israel for its first-ever World Cup after reaching the 2024 European Championship semifinals. She is now with the under-20 squad, which will open the European Championship in Lithuania next week.
Holon, which finished second last season, is clearly aiming to take the final step to the championship in 2026-27. Elmalih joins captain Eden Rotberg, Tal Lev and Stasha Kari, who had already signed earlier this summer. Coach Roy Lazar said she is a young, athletic and talented player with “talent, winning mentality and an excellent personality,” and added that she will help on both ends of the floor. Elmalih said she is excited to begin a new chapter after years at Ramat HaSharon and feels she received warmth, trust and professionalism from the club.
