The Israel National Basketball Team is set to enter the crucial second stage of the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers with a challenging pair of games this weekend. The team will first face Poland in a unique “home-away-from-home” matchup in Riga, Latvia, followed by an away game against Latvia on Sunday evening local time. Entering this stage, Israel holds a 2-4 record from the previous round, positioning them at the bottom of Group K and facing the uphill task of maintaining their World Cup aspirations.
Power forward Yotam Hanochi, a key figure for both the national squad and Hapoel Jerusalem, shared insights on the team’s outlook and personal journey ahead of the games. At 25 years old and standing 2.04 meters tall, Hanochi has become a consistent presence on the national team under head coach Ariel Beit Halachmi, with whom he has a long-standing professional relationship dating back to their time at Hapoel Gilboa/Galil and on Israel’s U20 national team.
“We’ve been really looking forward to these games and to make up for what happened in the previous window,” Hanochi said. He expressed optimism about the team’s renewed lineup, particularly noting the return of Israel’s top point guards, Yam Madar and Tamir Blatt, who will be playing together for the first time in several years. “There’s no doubt that it gives us a lot of options,” he commented, emphasizing his confidence in the backcourt combination.
Israel’s previous qualifying window proved difficult, marked by depleted rosters and tough losses against Germany and Croatia. Hanochi acknowledged the challenging atmosphere during that period but stressed the team’s determination to shift the narrative. “It’s our responsibility to now correct that,” he said.
On the club front, Hanochi recently completed a midseason transfer from Maccabi Raanana to Hapoel Jerusalem, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. He described the move as a significant step in his career, highlighting the club’s professional environment and its ambition to compete for titles. The team’s recent hiring of Serbian coach Sasa Obradovic, known for leading AS Monaco to the EuroLeague Final Four, has further raised expectations.
“I’m really looking forward to working with him,” Hanochi said, looking ahead to the upcoming season. Jerusalem has also bolstered its roster with several high-profile international players, creating a competitive yet collaborative environment that Hanochi welcomes.
Beyond the court, Hanochi reflected on a personal loss that has deeply affected Israeli basketball. Last year, Raz Adam, a close friend and prominent player on the national team, died in a tragic car accident. The two had shared significant moments, including their triumph at the 2019 U20 European Championship hosted in Israel.
“It’s a tremendous sadness. He was truly an amazing person, funny, sharp and witty,” Hanochi recalled. “There are truly no words that can describe or contain the pain. I love him very much and I miss him.”
As Israel faces its critical World Cup Qualifiers upcoming matches, Hanochi embodies a blend of resolve and purpose, balancing personal motivation with the collective goal of advancing on basketball’s global stage.