Israeli Basketball League Stars Reveal Unusual Hobbies and Superstitions

As the Israeli Basketball Premier League season kicks off with a game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Galil Elyon, players are bringing more than just their athletic skills to the court. Many have unique hobbies, superstitions, and anecdotes that add color to the league.

Oshae Brissett of Maccabi Tel Aviv is an avid photographer, often capturing city scenes and team travels with his collection of cameras. Teammate Bonzie Colson has a background in theater and remains connected to the entertainment world, particularly directing. Amit Abo is a coffee connoisseur, guiding his friends on the best brews and locations worldwide.

Maccabi Ashdod features social media star Shahar Shalmon, a 23-year-old forward with over 300,000 TikTok followers. His teammate, Ben Callahan Gold, is the son of American comedian Judy Gold. Augustine Rubit, at 37, is the league's oldest player for the upcoming 2026-27 season, bringing with him extensive EuroLeague experience.

Brandon Jones of Hapoel Holon has a notable passion for horror movies, even getting a mask from the genre tattooed on his arm. DJ Barnes of Bnei Herzliya has undergone a significant 30-kilogram weight loss in recent months. David Rhodes of Hapoel Jerusalem played high school football and competed in track and field events like shot put and discus before focusing on basketball.

Freddy Gillespie of Ness Ziona plays chess daily via a phone app, extending his competitive spirit beyond the court. Ish Wainright of Hapoel Tel Aviv is a shoe collector with over 200 pairs, while teammate Zach Leday adheres to numerous pre-game rituals, always accompanied by his signature gray bag.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Gil Beni of Maccabi Ramat Gan learned to play guitar online, favoring Israeli music. His teammate, Bryce Washington, enjoys cooking, a skill learned from his mother and late grandmother, with his signature dish being pasta Alfredo. Lior Carara is also noted as a coffee expert.