1) Deni Avdija has been getting plenty of headlines as the next great Israeli basketball player and so far at the FIBA U20 European Championships he’s been able to show exactly why he’s been getting all the accolades. Check out The Sports Rabbi’s column in today’s Jerusalem Post where I break down Avdija and why he’s the most hyped player coming out of the Holy Land.

2) The Under-20 Israel Basketball Team will face France in the FIBA European Championships on Saturday night at 7pm Israel time. The Blue & White Head Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi looked ahead to tomorrow’s clash for a ticket to the Gold Medal game,
“First off France is a very strong team. On one hand they have a very athletic and deep squad, on the other hand we have some advantages in terms of our speed and quickness in terms of our guards. Yesterday we watched the France and later on we have a meeting to make decisions about how we will play and try to use our strong points like we’ve done in the other matches.”

Israel has been playing very high tempo offense and have been extremely aggressive on defense while giving up the fews turnovers in the competition with 11.2. Yovel Zoosman (13.4p), Michael Brisker (14p), Deni Avdija (13.6p/7r), Gil Beni (13.2p) and Michael Rina (10p) have all featured in double digits in scoring for the Blue & White. Bathiste Tchouaffe (13.2p), Digue Diawara (9.8p) and Bastein Vautier (8.2r) are the key players for France in the matchup.

Quick Hits – Center Demetrius Treadwell used his out-clause to leave Hapoel Eilat and join Nanterre 92 of France…Netanel Artzi signed with Hapoel Gilboa/Galil…2017 Ivy League Player of the Year Spencer Weisz moved to Maccabi Ashdod from Hapoel Gilboa/Galil…