As the Israel basketball league gears up for action with a restart slated for next Saturday night April 18th many of the foreign players landed back in the Holy Land over the past few days. Some teams have had to remake their rosters as some players decided not to return, while other teams have been able to keep their core together as the league heads into the stretch run.

One of those team’s is Nes Ziona who saw their newly appointed head coach Paul Corsaro land on the league’s flight on Friday morning along with their star guard Bryce Brown.

Brown, who put on an MVP performance last season, ended up signing in Germany with Ulm to begin this current 2025/26 campaign but after a short period of time headed back to Israel to rejoin Nes Ziona where he was welcomed back with open arms.

As he arrived, The Sports Rabbi caught up with Brown who spoke about returning to Israel as the ceasefire went into effect between the United States and Iran.

“My parents always told me you got to finish what you started. So, I think these last few weeks, we’re going to just try to finish the season as strong as we can and get the job done,” Brown began.

“Obviously making the decision to return was not easy, what we went through here, you saw what was going on. It was definitely very difficult because I have my girlfriend with me. So, I’m not just thinking for myself. I’m thinking about others, her family, my family, the stress my parents have to go through. But we’re back and the season is going to restart. So, we can’t do too much back and forth. It’s got to be about business at this point.”

Meir Tapiro, the sports director had filled in as head coach but with the league now returning to action, assistant coach Paul Corsaro will be taking over the reins.

“Coach Paul, I think he’s definitely valid for the position and we’ve already seen that in the past. But I think for us, we have to be committed to whatever the coach puts in front of us, whatever the general manager and the organization wants, we have to be ready to step up and finish all these nine games well.”

Nes Ziona happens to be one of the teams that does have their core back in Israel which should bode well as they make a run for the postseason Brown explained, “I think we’re one of the few teams that has a lot of returning players, a lot of returning foreigners. So, we got to put our foot on the gas and we got to work hard these next few days to build as much chemistry. But we’re not starting from zero like a lot of teams. So, I think it’s just important that we just find ourselves over these next 10 days and then try to put some wins together. I’m ready to get to work, man. I’m ready to play. I’m ready to hope, let’s do it.”