Israeli Forward Yarden Garzon Joins Spanish EuroLeague Team Zaragoza Despite Rising Anti-Israel Sentiment

Yarden Garzon, a 22-year-old Israeli basketball forward, completed a surprising yet impressive transfer to Spanish EuroLeague and Liga Femenina club Zaragoza on July 14, 2026. After four notable years playing college basketball in the United States, Garzon becomes only the fifth Israeli woman to compete in the EuroLeague. Despite expectations that she might join a different team, she chose Zaragoza, one of Europe's top clubs, aiming to continue her development in the highly competitive Spanish league.

Garzon’s path to professional basketball faced setbacks earlier this year when she went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA draft. She later signed a non-guaranteed rookie contract with the Phoenix Mercury but was forced to leave preseason camp due to a shoulder injury, preventing her from showcasing her skills in the world’s premier women’s league. Reflecting on the injury, Garzon said it was the first time in her career she had to cope with such a setback, but she remains optimistic and committed to working hard toward her goals.

Choosing to play in Spain surprised many in Israel, given the recent increase in anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism in the country, which has deterred some Israeli athletes from playing there. However, Garzon expressed pride in representing Israel internationally and said she focuses on the support she receives rather than the hostility. She emphasized that Zaragoza is the right place for her growth as a player and looks forward to competing for the championship.

Garzon’s U.S. college career began at Indiana University, where she set a 31-year-old record for most three-pointers made in three seasons. Last summer, she transferred to the University of Maryland for her final NCAA season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting over 40% from the field and nearly 37% from three-point range. She led the Big Ten Conference in three-pointers made and earned third-team all-conference honors.

Her move to Zaragoza marks a significant step in her professional career as she aims to establish herself in European basketball and continue representing Israel on the international stage.