The Israel Under-20 Men’s National Team is getting ready to take to the court for the European Championships that open up on Saturday in Crete. The blue-and-white have a loaded squad for the tournament with the likes of Alon Michaeli and Shachar Doron along with some of the players who featured for the Under-19 team that finished in 7th place at the World Championship including Omer Mayer, Ariel Sela and Rany Belaga.

Just ahead of Saturday afternoon’s tipoff against Spain (3:30pm), The Sports Rabbi had the chance to talk to Belaga who is coming off a terrific World Cup and a good season with BC Ramat HaSharon in the Leumit League.

“I’m very excited,” Belaga began. “This is my first time at the Under-20 European championship and I’m looking forward to having a good time.”

Belaga, who just landed on Monday afternoon a day after the World Cup ended immediately headed to the Under-20 training sessions, but was still relishing in the opportunity to represent Israel.

“It was a crazy experience and something different from anything that I’ve ever experienced compared to the European Championships. There were so many teams from all around the world and you get to compete and see what your level is against the best players in the world.”

In the tournament itself, Belaga averaged 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds (10th at the championship!), 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals and a 5.3 efficiency index per 31 minutes (highest on the team) while playing in all of the games. It was no doubt the best tournament for him with one of the youth teams.

“First of all we accomplished something incredible as a team, it was an incredible achievement to finish in 7th. Yes, we felt we could do more, but at the end of the day, if we had been told that this is what we would have been able to do beforehand, we would have been happy. On a personal level, I believe that I contributed to the team being to achieve what we did.”

After a successful European Youth Championship last summer, where the team reached the semifinals and thus secured a historic place at the U-19 World Championship, Belaga signed a long-term, 4-year contract with Hapoel Jerusalem. This past season he was loaned to SC Ramat Hasharon in the second division and had a solid debut campaign in the Leumit League. He was also seen several times sitting next to the some of the Jerusalem management including Gal Mekel, at the Reds’ games.

“The professional staff at Hapoel Jerusalem have been accompanying throughout my journey and at all times including the World Championship. I am always in constant communication with them whether it is Gal Mekel, Dan Shamir, Guy Gafni, really everyone there is very supportive of me.”

Belaga began playing basketball just for fun, but from there it evolved into something more than that, “There was a sports fair at Emek Hefer and when I saw the basketball club I just went for it especially after I saw so many trophies and medals. As a little kid, I just wanted that trophy as well. When I started going to the club I found out that I really liked the game so I just continued to play and that’s how my love the game developed.

At Ramat Hasharon last season as just a 18 year old, Belaga helped the team win the Leumit League State Cup and he finished the season with 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 7.9 efficiency index in 17.5 minutes. As he progressed he even flirted with a triple-double several times.

“First of all, this was arguably the season that I had the most fun in and credit to Ramat HaSharon who are just extraordinary. Credit goes to both the players and the staff, it was truly a pleasure to come to practice every day. On a professional level, I also think I made the transition from the youth side to the seniors relatively well. As the season progressed, I managed to earn a lot of minutes and showed that I was suitable for professional basketball. The team was competitive and played at a very high level, so that also contributed a lot to me being on a competitive team.”

Belaga feels that he is ready to make the jump to the Premier League and there have been rumors that he will join Hapoel Jerusalem and jump up a level, “I feel ready for the Premier League level, but it’s not that simple. You have to see that the situation is the right one and that I am going to a place that I am being able to out work in and that it is the correct place for my long term development. I don’t know yet if I will end up at Hapoel Jerusalem but once I finish the European Championship and sit down with my people and those of Hapoel Jerusalem, we will decide what to do next season.”

Ben Saraf, who just began NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas after he was selected 26th overall by the Brooklyn Nets at the most recent draft and Belaga played together for years at Emek Hefer as well as the Israel Youth National Teams.

“Ben is like my brother, we grew up together. There is nothing that makes me happier than this. We were at the Under-19 World Cup on draft day and it was just a crazy feeling of pride. I am so happy for him and he will prove that he was worthy of being elected 26th overall. He will have a successful career.

Belaga has high hopes with the Under-20 team that may end up with a gold medal especially after having scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out 8 assists in the last U19 game against Switzerland that secured 7th place.

“I’m here to do what it takes to help the team win and yes, we’re a very, very talented team and that has a very balanced squad here too. We have big men, forwards, guards and are loaded at every position. I was with the Under-19 team for most of the time but when I arrived here to play with the Under-20 guys I’ve heard that they are feeling very good in practice and really there’s no reason not to. In my mind, we’re coming to take a medal.”