Yiftach Ziv Shines in Maccabi Rishon LeZion Debut

Guard Yiftach Ziv made a strong debut for Maccabi Rishon LeZion on Monday, scoring 14 points and dishing out six assists in the team's victory. Ziv, who joined the team two days prior, expressed his joy at returning to a role where he could enjoy playing basketball again after a difficult period with Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he had not received significant playing time since joining in the summer of 2025. "I missed it a lot. Especially enjoying, enjoying basketball," Ziv stated. "This is what I was looking for and what I wanted, and I am happy for myself first of all that I enjoyed it, and of course that we won." He also highlighted the welcoming atmosphere created by his new teammates, including veterans like Idan Zalmanson and Justin Tillman, who helped him acclimate quickly. The crowd's chanting of his name also added to his positive experience. Coach Guy Kaplan praised Ziv's immediate impact, noting his hunger and the team's need for his contribution. "He came hungry, we will need him to succeed," Kaplan said. Kaplan also commented on the team's performance, emphasizing their ability to correct mistakes during the game and their ongoing work on defense and intensity. He expressed hope for more consistent and better basketball in the future, acknowledging that Ziv had only trained twice with the team before his debut.