Israeli Duo Leads U18 Basketball Team Toward Historic European Championship Bid

Israel's 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, they face Denmark in the round of 16, with the European Basketball Federation (FIBA) highlighting the team's leading duo, David Mossis and Aviv Aronov, as key to Israel's deepest run ever in the tournament.

FIBA praised the Israeli pair for their standout performances, noting that Mossis leads the tournament in efficiency (27.3 per game) and rebounds (12 per game), while Aronov tops the scoring charts 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, impressed with back-to-back 30-plus point games against Greece and France, showcasing a versatile offensive skill set.

Denmark, Israel's opponent in the round of 16, is considered one of the weaker teams in the championship, having lost all their group matches by an average of 14 points. Should Israel win, they will face the winner of Slovenia versus Latvia; a loss would send them to the relegation playoffs. The Israeli team's historic performance and leadership by Mossis and Aronov have raised hopes for a first-ever podium finish or even the championship title at this European U18 tournament.