Back-to-Back Promotions: Ashdod's Magical Run Continues

Culture, the foreign player who dominated the National League, and the guard with 300,000 followers. The plans for the Premier League

Published: 11.06.26, 20:20 (National League Administration) | Photo: Sports 5

Maccabi Ashdod is on the map. The newly re-established team completed a rare and surprising achievement today, Thursday, when it secured a second consecutive promotion. The team, which was rebuilt, will play in the Premier League next season after playing in the 2024/25 season in Liga Leumit.

The club from one of Israel’s largest cities was reborn as a different team from the club that played for years in the top division and reached the State Cup final in 2016. That team was relegated at the start of the decade to the second division and from there to the third division. In parallel, the club was re-established in Liga Bet under the leadership of Nati Cohen. They advanced, were promoted to Liga Alef and from there to the National League. Three and a half years ago, both teams were in the National League, and the municipality decided to fund the new club, which had no debts. Along with the budget came ambitions, the professional surge, and Dan Katzir.

The 33-year-old coach is considered one of the most promising figures in Israeli basketball, and this is one of his first seasons in senior basketball. Next season, there will be players older than him in the Premier League, after he helped the team build an organizational identity and a strong connection with the youth department. All the senior players spent many practices working with the club’s youth academy, while Bar Sheinboim coached at the basketball school. Robert Turner, one of the candidates for the National League’s MVP award, embraced the role and diligently accompanied youth players. “There is a group of good people here,” said people at the club. “They trained together, and that led to the promotion. We fought for the playoffs, but the identity won out. The togetherness starts with the coach’s imprint.”

As a confidence-building move, Ashdod kept Katzir on a contract that would have kept him in place even if the team had not been promoted. The promotion itself surprised people inside the club, as it became increasingly realistic. Alongside the reinforcements that will come with promotion to the Premier League, Ashdod sees great importance in continuity heading into 2026/27.

The team’s leading foreign player is Robert Turner, a guard who averaged 24 points per game and already has a guaranteed contract for next season. Turner will try to take the next step, similar to players such as Amin Stevens or Keva Grant. The previous season’s league MVP is leading Rishon LeZion in the Premier League as well and is having an excellent season.

The club gave credit to promotion specialist Amit Reuven, who was promoted for the second consecutive season and was one of the most prominent figures in the locker room. He averaged 12.2 points and 6 assists, and while there is great appreciation between the sides, there is no real contract in place. Reuven wants to make the most of the promotion, unlike in seasons when he helped promote Gilboa/Galil, now Emek, or Kiryat Ata. He feels mature and ready to establish himself in the top division.

Shahar Shalmon, one of the most prominent content creators on Israeli TikTok with 300,000 followers, has a close relationship with coach Dan Katzir. For Shalmon, Katzir is one of the main reasons he became a basketball player, and the two have been together since a young age. Shalmon, until a year ago an unknown player in the third division, faced a difficult decision. On the one hand, he wanted to take a step up and continue at the club, alongside people with whom he has gone a long way. On the other hand, staying depended on a professional situation that would allow him to keep developing.

Another leading Israeli player is the injured Emri Shavit, who has Premier League experience and is expected to continue there after recovering from the injury. The only Israeli player besides coach Katzir with a guaranteed contract is Ben Gold. The option on the naturalized player was exercised during the season, when he was named the league’s breakout player. He is considered one of the best shooters in Israel, with 39% from three-point range, including a game in which he hit 11 of 14 from beyond the arc.

“Premier League is a different world,” admitted people at the club. “The club needs to grow to the required size in every area, players, management, and budget.” The team likes continuity, something that is expected to happen again this time, despite the size of the budget.

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