Israeli Sports Journalist Aryeh Meliniak Shares Health Update and Comments on National Basketball Team

Aryeh Meliniak, a well-known Israeli sports journalist, spoke in an interview on August 24, 2026, about his current health condition and the Israeli national basketball team. Meliniak revealed that he is undergoing cancer treatment, with his last chemotherapy session scheduled for the next day. He plans to have surgery on September 15, followed by radiation therapy, after which he expects to recover fully. Despite his health challenges, Meliniak expressed confidence and optimism, stating, "Erase me from your worries, I am active and will be out of this soon."

Regarding the Israeli national basketball team, Meliniak discussed their recent game against Georgia and the team's ongoing struggles. He noted that the team is always on the edge in competitions, especially in European championships where they fluctuate between divisions A and B. Meliniak emphasized the difficulty of competing without a dominant center or a strong foreign player and praised coach Ariel for his record. He also analyzed player roles, mentioning Yam Madar's versatility but noting it is insufficient, and highlighted Tamir Blatt as the only true playmaker despite some setbacks.

Meliniak criticized the management decisions at Hapoel, suggesting that players like Madar were undervalued and mistreated. He concluded with a reflection on the challenges faced by the team and the need to focus on playing good basketball regardless of circumstances. The full interview was broadcast on Sport 5's "5 BaAvir" program.