Raz Adam is one of the newer players on The Israel National Team roster for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers window. The 26-year-old (1.93m) guard who plays for Hapoel Galil Elyon has been called up to the senior national team for the second time, two years after his previous call-up. Back then, during the 2023/24 season with Ironi Kiryat Ata,, Adam made his debut in a loss to the Slovenia national basketball team in the EuroBasket qualifiers where he played just one minute.

Since then, Adam suffered a serious injury that sidelined him for nearly a year, from early in the 2024/25 season with Kiryat Ata until the early part of the current season. Upon returning, now with Galil Elyon, he initially struggled to regain his familiar form. Recently, however, everything has started to click.

After averaging 5.75 points, 30% on 2-pointers, 0.6 3-pointers at 19.2%, 1.5 rebounds, 3 assists to 1.75 turnovers, 0.6 steals and a 2.4 efficiency rating in 22.5 minutes over his first eight league games (reaching double figures just once), Adam has scored in double digits in each of his last six games. During that stretch, he has averaged 15.2 points, 54.8% on twos, 1.7 3-pointers at 50%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists alongside 4.2 turnovers, 2 steals and a 16.5 efficiency rating in 32 minutes.

Overall this season, he is averaging 9.8 points, 1.1 3-pointers at 32.6%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists to 2.8 turnovers, 1.2 steals, and an 8.4 efficiency rating in 26.6 minutes. In his last three games, Adam has reached another level: he nearly stunned Hapoel Jerusalem at home with 15 points and 8 assists; snapped his team’s 11-game losing streak with 22 points in a home win over Elitzur Netanya; and posted a 23 efficiency rating in a road loss to Bnei Herzliya with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Now, just before the current window opens, Adam, who was not registered for the first of two games in Cyprus (Friday at 21:00 and Sunday at 19:00) against the local national team but hopes to dress for the second—gave a special interview to the website “Sports Rabbi,” answering 25 quick-fire questions.

With the national team, Adam reunites with head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi and teammates Yam Madar and Yotam Hanochi, with whom he won the U20 European Championship (with Beit Halachmi in 2018–2019 and with Madar and Hanochi in 2019). It is an unusual window: players from Hapoel Tel Aviv who are competing in the EuroLeague will play only in the first game, while those from Maccabi Tel Aviv will play only in the second.

1. How excited are you for the upcoming window?
“Very excited. Always happy to be with the national team.”

2. How much are you hoping for significant minutes? Last time your debut was brief.
“I’ll always do my best with whatever opportunity I’m given.”

3. Were you surprised by the call-up this time?
“I wasn’t surprised. I’m in a good period and I’m glad it’s being reflected.”

4. How special is your connection with Ariel Beit Halachmi? And with Yam Madar and Yotam Hanochi?
“Great connection. We’ve known each other very well for many years.”

5. How strange is this situation—players only in the first game and others only in the second?
“That’s the decision that was made. We’re coming to play.”

6. This is a first call-up for Ilay Dolinsky. What can you say about him?
“Dolinsky is a very talented player. He’s going to be one of the best players in Israeli basketball.”

7. How difficult were your first games back from injury? Did you fear you wouldn’t return to your previous level?
“I always believed in myself and knew I’d get back to myself.”

8. How hard was it to sit out for almost a year?
“It’s very hard. As an athlete, you want to be on the court.”

9. Did you have breaking points? Did you disconnect from basketball?
“It wasn’t simple, but there were no breaking points. I knew I’d come back.”

10. How happy are you with your recent form?
“I’m very happy. I hope we win as many games as possible.”

11. Do you see yourself as a point guard? Combo guard?
“I can contribute both as a point guard and a combo guard. That’s my big advantage—moving between positions.”

Galil Elyon has gone through several upheavals this season. After opening with a derby win over Hapoel HaEmek under coach Guni Izraeli and standing at 2–2 after four games, the team lost 11 straight. Izraeli departed, Avishay Gordon was appointed interim coach and eventually Idan Avshalom took over. Recently, Avshalom defeated his former team Netanya before losing on the road to Herzliya. The team currently sits 13th, in a relegation spot, with a 3–14 record, alongside Netanya and Maccabi Ra’anana with three wins each.

12. How is it working with Idan Avshalom? How hard is it to go through multiple coaching changes?
“Idan and I have a good connection. It’s not simple, but as a player you do your best.”

13. Does the recent win over Netanya give you confidence you can stay up?
“We can stay up. There’s still a lot to fight for. It won’t be easy.”

The 2023/24 season was Adam’s breakout year. He led Kiryat Ata to the State Cup semifinals and the league semifinals, where they lost 2–1 in the series to Hapoel Tel Aviv. In the regular season, he averaged 12 points per game, 1.2 3’s at 35.8%, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and a 12.5 efficiency rating in 26.3 minutes. In Game 1 of the semifinal series at the Drive In Arena, Adam stunned his former team where he had played from the 2019/20 “Corona League” season through 2021/22 leading Kiryat Ata to a 1–0 series lead.

14. What memories come up when you think about that clutch performance against Hapoel Tel Aviv?
“I’m always ready for those moments, I love them.”

15. As someone who played there, what do you think of Hapoel Tel Aviv today, on and off the court?
“I’m focused on Galil Elyon, not Hapoel.”

16. Do you feel they need a player like you? Would you like to return in the future?
“I want to fulfill myself wherever I am, always striving to progress.”

17. Do you see your next step as moving to a big club?
“I work hard to move forward. I’m not thinking about a specific team.”

18. What do you think about the Israeli league this season?
“An excellent league. Three outstanding teams and Holon and HaEmek are also very good. One of the best leagues in Europe.”

19. What about Israeli basketball in general?
“There are many excellent Israeli players.”

20. When Ben Saraf played with you in Kiryat Ata, did you believe he’d reach the NBA?
“Yes. He’s a crazy talent and we saw it from the first moment.”

21. Did you believe Deni Avdija would become an All-Star?
“Yes. He’s the greatest athlete Israel has ever had.”

22. You’ll play again in the Israeli All-Star game, this time under Oded Katash and Dimitris Itoudis. Are you preparing surprises again?
“I believe there will be fun moments. It’s an event of entertainment and fun—sports are fun. You have to enjoy every moment.”

23. Tell us something interesting people don’t know about you.
“I really love watching the EuroLeague. It’s my favorite league.”

24. Who is the most famous person you’ve met?
“Maybe Deni Avdija.”

25. What’s your biggest dream?
“My biggest dream is to be healthy and happy. In basketball, to fulfill myself and keep progressing.”