Israeli Basketball Legend Miki Berkovich Battles Dementia, Family Shares Update

Miki Berkovich, one of Israel's greatest athletes and a basketball icon for Maccabi Tel Aviv, has been living with dementia for the past two and a half years. Close family sources told ynet that although Berkovich was still functioning relatively well at age 70, his condition has since deteriorated, requiring constant supervision and preventing him from living as he once did. The family expressed deep sadness over his decline, emphasizing how difficult it is to see the sports legend in this state, but also highlighted the strong support and love he receives from his wife Shelly, children, and close friends such as Moti Aroesti and Tal Brody, who regularly visit him.

Berkovich, now 72, has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years but continues to be embraced by his family, friends, and the Maccabi Tel Aviv community. One of his last public appearances was in 2024 when he received the Israel Prize for sports, recognizing his extraordinary achievements and his role as an ambassador for Israeli sports worldwide. Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi shared with ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth that signs of Berkovich's illness appeared about two years ago, although his outward appearance did not reveal his condition. Mizrahi also noted the frequent neighborhood walks Berkovich takes with friends.

Dementia with Lewy bodies, the form of dementia Berkovich suffers from, is the second most common type of progressive neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's. It is caused by protein deposits in brain cells affecting cognition, memory, and movement, and is characterized by cognitive decline, visual hallucinations, fluctuations in alertness, and Parkinson-like symptoms such as muscle stiffness and balance difficulties. The disease is challenging to diagnose due to symptom overlap with other conditions and currently has no cure, though some medications can ease symptoms.

Former basketball player Doron Jamchi also expressed his emotional connection, recalling conversations about family rather than basketball and his sadness over Berkovich's decline. The family and community continue to provide Berkovich with care and companionship during this difficult time.