It may be the offseason for the Israel basketball league and while there may not be any action on the court, there has been plenty of off-court activity as Maccabi Tel Aviv are in the process of retooling their roster for the 2025/26 season.

The yellow-and-blue inked forward TJ Leaf to a 3-year deal as the Israeli who stands 2.08-meters tall (6ft 10in), finally comes home to his place of birth after many years of rumors. Leaf’s father Brad played at guard for Maccabi between 1995-1998 and now TJ comes full circle as he joins his dad’s former teammate and the yellow-and blue’s current Head Coach Oded Katash’s front court after stints in the NBA and China.

Leaf, who is primarily a power forward, but can use his size to play center as well as a mobile and versatile big man who was selected 18th overall at the 2017 NBA Draft. He logged 146 games in the association with Indiana and Portland, before spending a few years in the CBA. This past season he scored 22.1 points per game with the Nanjing Monkey Kings while adding 12.5 boards and 4.3 assists. As an Israeli, Leaf represented the Under-18 national team in 2015 and is part of the men’s roster for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket.

“Signing TJ Leaf was one of our goals,” Maccabi’s new general manager Claudio Coldebella said. “For years, the club tried to bring TJ to Tel Aviv and we are thrilled that he will join us soon. It’s a great addition to our team as we will strengthen our Israeli core as part of our philosophy. He has a lot of experience from the NBA and abroad and is a talented player with lots of motivation to prove himself at the highest level of European basketball.”

Katash added, “TJ is a player with experience at the highest levels and has immense potential. He brings impressive offensive capabilities and we envision him progressing here and leading us to our goals in the upcoming season.”

“Being able to play for such a historic club in a place that means so much to me is a dream come true,” Leaf shared in his first statement as a Maccabi player. “I would like to thank the coaching staff and all the front office and management for this opportunity. I can’t wait until I have a chance to play in front of the amazing Maccabi fans. Let’s get to work.”

Ty Jacob Leaf was born in Tel Aviv on April 30, 1997 to Karen and Brad Leaf. Brad played in Israel for 17 seasons, was named league MVP in 1990 and finished his career with three championships with Maccabi. In 1999, the family moved to San Diego, California, where TJ developed his basketball skills.

In 2015, he joined the Israeli U18 national team and was crowned the MVP of the European Championships Division B, after leading the blue-and-white to the finals with 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. On that team, he played with current Maccabi guard Tamir Blatt. Later on, T.J. played college ball for the UCLA Bruins, starring alongside Lonzo Ball with 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his one and only season. He declared for the NBA Draft in 2017 and was selected – just like his father – by the Pacers.

Leaf spent three seasons in Indianapolis and one season with the Blazers and then decided to take his talents across the Pacific to China. He played in Guangzhou, Beijing and Nanjing, where he notched a whopping 33.5 efficiency rating.

Maccabi also signed the Israeli Player of the 2024-25 season in Gur Lavy to a 3-year contract. The 24-year old, 1.98-meter player, who can play both forward positions, arrives fresh off of a breakout season in Gilboa-Galil and he is looking forward to showing off his talents with the yellow-and-blue.

“I am happy to join the best and most prestigious club in Israel and one of the most prestigious in Europe, Maccabi Tel Aviv,” Lavy declared. “I cannot wait to collaborate with the staff, teammates and crowd in order to reach our goals. Especially in times like these, it will bring me great pride to where the yellow-and-blue jersey and represent Maccabi in Europe, and of course here in our league.”

Katash also spoke about what Lavy brings to the table, “Gur is a young and talented player, coming off of a stellar season and brings energy, hunger for success along with a diverse skill-set at the forward positions. We are certain that he will find his place at the club and contribute a great deal both in Israel and in the EuroLeague. Gur is part of the future of Israeli basketball and we are thrilled that he is joining us.”

“Ever since I joined the club I said Maccabi has to have the best Israeli players in the league,” Coldebella explained. “This is what was in the past and what will be in the future. Gur Lavy is part of this philosophy. He is still young, but already an experienced player with great upside. He comes after an MVP season and we are very pleased that he is with us on a long-term contract.”

Gur Lavy was born on March 27, 2001 and grew up in the small village of Bat Shlomo, at the foothills of Mount Carmel. He embarked on his basketball journey with the nearby Maccabi Zichron Ya’akov and became a professional when Hapoel Haifa spotted his talent. He was loaned for a season to Kiryat Ata which saw Lavy crowned as the 2nd Division’s Revelation as he lead the team to promotion. He later returned to Haifa and spent last season at Gilboa-Galil.

Lavy dominated throughout this past season, posting 15.2 points (59.1% from 2, 50% from 3), 7.5 boards and 1.5 steals per game. Against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the quarter-final series, he scored 17.8 points and added 4.5 rebounds per game. Gur was chosen as a first team all-league player, the best Israeli of the season and the most improved player as well. Recently he was called-up for the Israeli national team ahead of this summer’s FIBA EuroBasket.