Harper Named League MVP as Kattz Wins Coach of the Year

The Israeli Basketball Premier League announced its season awards on Monday, just before the championship series begins on Tuesday. The honors included coach of the year, MVP, most improved player, and top Israeli player.

Jared Harper of Hapoel Jerusalem was named league MVP for the second straight season, matching the repeat award he previously won in the EuroCup. Harper led the league with a 21.8 efficiency rating and averaged 19.2 points on 42.7% shooting from three, 5.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 27 minutes per game. He helped Hapoel Jerusalem finish third in the regular season before the team was eliminated in the playoff semifinals.

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oded Kattz won coach of the year for the second time, 19 years after his first win, then as coach of Hapoel Galil Elyon. Kattz guided Maccabi to first place in the regular season with a 24-2 record and will now try to lead the team to the championship against Hapoel Tel Aviv starting Wednesday.

Roman Sorkin of Maccabi Tel Aviv was named top Israeli player for the second time, after also winning that award and the MVP title in the 2023-24 season. He averaged 13 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 38.2% from three in 24.2 minutes per game. The most improved player was Yoav Vitlam, and the breakout player was Yuval Hochstetter.