Jerusalem Honors Adi Gordon as Streetball 2026 Wraps Up

Jerusalem’s Streetball 2026 tournament ended after two days of games and competitions, with hundreds of players from 130 teams competing across age groups. Winners received trophies and prizes at what organizers described as one of Israel’s largest and oldest community sports events.

At the center of the closing event, Jerusalem Municipality presented a special award to Adi Gordon in recognition of his long-standing contribution to Jerusalem sports and Israeli basketball. The honor also marked 30 years since Hapoel Jerusalem won its first State Cup in 1996, a title remembered for Gordon’s dramatic last-second basket against Maccabi Tel Aviv that secured the club’s first-ever trophy.

During the ceremony, Dr. Adi Friedman received a lifetime achievement award for his years of work advancing sports in Jerusalem. Yossi Zafrani was also specially recognized for his continued contribution to the Jerusalem streetball project over the years. Participants also paid tribute to the memory of Amnon Shnek, the founder of Jerusalem streetball, and Ofir Kitt, one of the sport’s pioneers in the city.

After receiving the award, Gordon said he was deeply moved to meet so many people who had been part of his life’s journey. He said the honor belonged to everyone who supported him, including friends, teammates, fans and the wider community, adding that “alone you cannot achieve success” and that people can go furthest when they are surrounded by love and support. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said the tournament is “much more than a basketball tournament,” calling it a citywide celebration of sport, community, values and intergenerational connection, and said the honors reflect the city’s commitment to preserving its sports legacy and nurturing future athletes.