Yaron Goldman and Israel’s Under-19 hoopsters stand tall in Switzerland - interview

As a result, FIBA wanted to get clarification on whether or not the team would be able to arrive in time for the competition, but Israel Basketball Association chairman Amos Frishman, along with the assistance of government officials, managed to get permission for the team to fly as it departed over a week before the opening tip-off.

While the squad missed an exhibition tournament because of the conflict, the players have put all of the difficulties and challenges aside as they look to represent the country with honor on the international stage.

The Israel Under-19 National Team is participating in the World Championship for the first time in its history and has a plethora of up-and-coming stars, including Yaron Goldman, who chalked up 10 points and four assists against Switzerland.

The guard, who grew up in the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system and played last season for Elitzur Shomron of the Leumit League, recently celebrated his 19th birthday and is on the cusp of taking a step forward for the team that will be missing Ben Saraf after he had been selected by the Brooklyn Nets in the recent NBA Draft.

“First of all, during a time like this, there’s even more pride and a sense of responsibility, especially since this is a World Championship,” Goldman began. “This isn’t something that happens every day, and it’s an incredible privilege and opportunity for us as players. There’s a ton of very big excitement. We played in the European Championships, but the World Championship is something totally different.”

The team really had no idea if it was going to make it to the competition, but ultimately, Goldman and the rest of the players were able to obtain special permission to fly out of the country.

“There was a lot of fear, especially during the first few days of the conflict, but then I saw many articles in the news that the chairman was doing everything in his power for us to be able to go. He was able to speak with ministers in the government, and I realized that since the situation was at this level, then somehow we would be able to leave Israel – and that’s what eventually happened.”

Goldman and his teammates were unable to practice together due to the restrictions that were levied on the citizens of the country because of the situation, and they also missed playing in an exhibition tournament. However, despite those challenges, Goldman explained that they are ready to go.

“First of all, before the war, we had a month of training that went really well, and the practices were at a very high level with terrific chemistry. Then came the war, and a week where everyone trained independently because we did not have permission to practice as a group, so everyone trained by themselves and took good care of themselves during this time.

“Our fitness coach was constantly in touch with us and checking that we were training, doing what we needed to, and taking care of ourselves. When we arrived here in Switzerland, we were in Geneva for four days, and now we are in Lausanne ready for the tournament. The practice sessions that we have had since have been excellent, especially considering that we did not train for an entire week together. We are in good shape and there are no excuses,” he emphasized.

After facing Switzerland in the opener, Israel was slated to play Jordan on Sunday. However, the blue-and-white’s opponent decided to boycott the clash due to political reasons.

“We are coming here to play basketball and are putting politics aside. This is not that relevant to us and doesn’t interest us as well. We came here for sporting purposes, to bring pride to the country, and to achieve something special for the team and for ourselves. If the game takes place against them, we will come into it with pride, we will be holding our heads high, and we will win the game.”

All of the teams automatically advance to the round-of-16, as the group stage is about positioning, with the goal of playing an easier opponent in the knockout stage. Israel, which also plays the Dominican Republic in Group C, will face an opponent from Group D after the initial stages, with the United States, France, Australia, and Cameroon all potential foes.

“Group play does matter, but what matters most is our fourth game, which I think is where everyone is focusing on,” Goldman said. “This is the most important game to win, and at that point, I believe everything is open once we hit the quarterfinals. We need to give a good opening blow, to make sure that we play well from the get-go, to win, and finish first in our group, which is very important.”

Last season was Goldman’s first as a professional as he plied his trade for Elitzur Shomron in the country’s second division, where he averaged 6.6 points (38.9% for two, 31.3% for three, and 71.9% from the free-throw line), 2.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists to go along with 1.8 turnovers in 18 minutes per game, primarily coming off the bench.

“It was a difficult year with Shomron that had plenty of ups and downs, but I was able to gain much more experience by playing with older guys, and I also have a better understanding of what I need to bring to the table at the professional level. I believe that I have a significant standing with the Under-19 team, and I need to take the things I learned this year with Shomron, whether it’s leading by example or whether it’s tough defense, and implement them with the team.”

The team’s biggest star is without a doubt Omer Mayer, who scored 24 points in the game against Switzerland. The guard, who is a product of the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system, will join the University of Purdue for the upcoming season, and Goldman, who grew up alongside him, spoke about how happy he was for him.

“Omer and I have been playing together since 10th grade. We have amazing chemistry and we are great friends. When he decided to head to Purdue, I was so happy for him. He wants to have a good tournament here and then also play well at the Under-20 European Championship, where I will also be following the World Championship. After that, he is looking to make sure that he will play well for Purdue. I’m very happy for him.”

Last summer, Goldman and the Israel Under-18s had a magical journey as they stunned Hugo Gonzalez’s Spain in the round of 16 and then bounced Noa Essengue and Nolan Traore’s France in the quarterfinals, as the Sabra contributed 11 points and 6 assists in the win.

“That was something that took a while to digest. To be able to reach that stage, especially considering that Israel was also at war, brought so much pride to the country. And to be able to beat such big teams like France and Spain – that was the greatest experience I’ve ever had.”

In the semifinals against Serbia, Goldman had an excellent showing with 14 points, seven assists, and an efficiency rating of 18, as he led the team’s comeback at the end of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Serbian Andrej Kostic scored a winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the second overtime, on the way to a heartbreaking 115-114 loss.

“You can’t forget something like that. We were playing in the semifinals of the European Championship and we were thinking that we could win a medal, perhaps even gold – something that I don’t believe ever happened for the U18s. But that’s behind us now. It’s no longer something we are focused on, as we have to really look at this tournament and do the best we can.”

Last year it was Ben Saraf who dominated the European Championship and was named the tournament’s MVP. This year, Saraf won’t be available for Israel at the World Cup as he is preparing for the NBA Summer League.

“Ben is an amazing teammate and a winner at heart,” Goldman said. “He is so competitive at the highest level. I had a lot of fun with him last summer, and I want to wish him the best of luck going forward.”

Goldman began playing basketball as a four-year-old and has never stopped since. He began his career at the Maccabi Rishon Lezion youth department and then moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv in time for the 2021/22 season.

“The truth is that it was not an easy transition,” the guard began. “Moving from Maccabi Rishon, where you are the best player there, and going to a team that is already very good with some great players, including Omer Mayer and everyone else, was not simple. But I managed to fit in at the end of the day, and I was able to be a part of the highest level of development there is.”

Goldman is considered one of the most talented players in the current generation of Israeli basketball. In the 2022/23 season, he was named MVP of the High School Championship, where he excelled with 26 points and 10 rebounds in Hadash Tel Aviv’s victory in the final against Ramot Yam-Emek Hefer.

At the beginning of the 2023/24 season, once the war with Hamas broke out, there was some hesitation by foreigners to return to Israel at first, and Goldman joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s senior team and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

In a win over Hapoel Beersheba, Goldman contributed two points and two steals in 15 minutes for Oded Katash’s squad, and late in the season, he scored nine points (2-4 from 3), grabbed four rebounds, and posted an efficiency rating of 14 in a home win over Kiryat Ata.

“I think it was an experience that gives one the ability to learn so much more, beyond whether I played or not. Seeing how the players act in the locker room, how they talk and act before a game and during practice, and how they approach a game is an amazing experience in itself. That was something that gave me a lot of tools.”

The player who took Goldman under his wing at Maccabi’s senior team was point guard Tamir Blatt. This past week, Blatt was not listed on the roster for this summer’s EuroBasket, a move that had differing opinions throughout not only the Israeli basketball world but all across Europe.

“Tamir and I have a really good relationship, and when I was with the senior team he spoke with me a lot, but even without talking to me the entire time I saw in his eyes how he conducts himself at the highest levels. He is a role model, an Israeli point guard who has succeeded at the highest of levels there is, so you want to see every move he makes – how he shoots and how he scores so well. It was amazing for me to be with a player like that. I am very upset that he won’t be on the team and I think he could have helped a lot, but it’s not in our hands; it was a decision made at a higher level.”

Goldman, who is a left-handed guard similar to Saraf, is always looking to improve his game and, just like any player at his age, has places where he needs to improve.

“I think I’ll be successful when I know how to find the right balance. To be able to balance my scoring and being a point guard with my passing, I think I need to step up on my defensive play as well as in my decision-making as a point guard. I think I’m there with my scoring ability.”

As for next season, Goldman, who dreams of one day playing in the NBA or in the Euroleague, is looking at his options, as there are a number of possibilities as to where he will play.

“First of all, you can’t ignore the fact that a lot of players are leaving the Premier League and going to colleges, so there are some open places on some of the teams.