Israeli Duo David Mossis and Aviv Aronov Lead U18 Team Toward European Championship Bid

The Israeli under-18 basketball team is quietly excelling at the European Championship, finishing the group stage with a perfect 3-0 record, including surprising wins over Greece and France. On July 29, 2026, they face Denmark in the round of 16. Ahead of this match, FIBA highlighted Israel's leading duo, David Mossis and Aviv Aronov, as key players capable of taking the team to unprecedented success, possibly even winning the tournament.

FIBA praised Mossis and Aronov for leading the entire championship in several statistical categories. Mossis tops the tournament in efficiency with 27.3 per game and rebounds with 12 per game, while Aronov leads in scoring with 26.7 points per game. Mossis, a 2.11-meter center, dominates under the basket, blocks shots, and can score from mid-range, making him a strong MVP candidate. Aronov, a guard from Eastern Michigan University, has been a major offensive threat, scoring over 30 points in consecutive games against Greece and France.

Denmark, Israel's upcoming opponent, is considered one of the weaker teams in the tournament. They advanced from Division B last year but lost all their group matches by an average margin of 14 points. If Israel wins, they will face the winner between Slovenia and Latvia; a loss would send them to relegation playoffs in Division A.

The Israeli team’s strong performance and the standout play of Mossis and Aronov have raised hopes for a historic podium finish or even a championship victory at the European U18 basketball tournament.