Israel’s Under-18 women’s basketball team is aiming to secure promotion from Division B to Division A during the ongoing European Championship in Tulcea, Romania. Among the squad’s key players is 16-year-old point guard Maayan Gorin, who currently represents Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, Canada, one of the country’s leading basketball academies.

Gorin has been a standout performer for Israel’s youth national teams. Last summer, she played a pivotal role on the U16 team that finished 11th at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, posting an average of 20 points per game—second highest in the tournament—along with 3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. In the current U18 tournament, Gorin has continued to make an impact, averaging 16 points per game as Israel went undefeated in the group stage. The team is scheduled to face Iceland in the quarterfinals on Friday.

In a recent interview, Gorin expressed pride in representing Israel and emphasized the importance of teamwork as they pursue promotion to the top division. “There’s nothing better than representing your country and being together with all the girls,” she said. “Our goal is to earn promotion to Division A and to play as one team.”

Originally from Kibbutz Megiddo, Gorin began her athletic pursuits in soccer before shifting to basketball under the influence of friends. She developed her skills in the youth department of Gilboa/Maayanot, where she also lived for a year to enhance her training. Following her performance at the U16 European Championship last year, Gorin received several offers from basketball programs abroad and decided to join Crestwood Preparatory Academy in Canada, feeling it presented the best opportunity for her development.

Despite receiving offers from the United States as well, she chose Canada based on the strength of the program and support system. Gorin acknowledged the efforts of her parents and agent in researching the move, which helped her feel prepared for the transition.

Gorin’s playing style combines speed and agility, though she is actively working to improve her ability to control the tempo of games and strengthen her weaker hand. As one of the younger players on the U18 team, she has integrated smoothly with her teammates, many of whom she already knew.

Highlight clips of her games at Crestwood have garnered significant attention online, but Gorin remains focused on steady improvement and maintaining balance.

The growth of women’s basketball in Israel has been evident in recent years, with more players competing internationally and the overall level of play rising. Gorin sees this as a positive trend and hopes to continue the progression by pursuing collegiate basketball followed by a professional career, with aspirations to reach the WNBA.

Israel’s U18 team’s quest for promotion will continue in the coming days as they aim to join their fellow national teams competing at Europe’s highest level next season.