Maccabi Haifa B.C.

For the football team, see Maccabi Haifa F.C.
מ.כ. מכבי חיפה
Maccabi Haifa B.C.
Leagues Ligat HaAl
Israeli Cup
Founded 1953
History 1953–present
Arena Romema Arena
Arena Capacity 5,000
Location Haifa, Israel
Team colors Green, White
         
President Jeff Rosen
Team manager Ido Kozikaro
Head coach Offer Rahimi
Team captain Oz Blayzer
Ownership Jeff Rosen
Championships 1 Israeli League
Website mhbasket.co.il
Uniforms
Home
Away

Maccabi Haifa Basketball Club (Hebrew: מכבי חיפה‎‎) is a professional Israeli basketball club that belongs to the Maccabi Haifa association. They play in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball. The club won their first championship in 2013, beating perennial champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final Game.

History

Maccabi Haifa is one of the oldest basketball teams in Israel and is one of the original eight teams that formed the top division in 1953.[1] In 1971 and 1985, the club qualified for the State Cup finals losing to Maccabi Tel Aviv in both years.

The club was relegated to the second division in 1993, and dropped into the third tier in 1995. They returned to the top tier, Ligat HaAl, in 1999. Despite their recent success, in 2000, Haifa mayor Amram Mitzna merged the club with Hapoel Haifa to form BC Haifa.[1]

Although the club qualified for the playoffs twice, they began to experience financial difficulties. Upon relegation the club folded and sold its rights to Bnei HaSharon. In 2004 Maccabi Haifa officials changed the name of the second team under its control, Maccabi Bat Galim, to Maccabi Haifa in an effort to restore the club's glory days.[2]

The following season, the club was promoted to the northern division. In 2007 they were promoted to Liga Leumit under the leadership of the coach Tobi Slilat. After the club was promoted, Avi Ashkenazi (who had coached the team in 1995) was reappointed.

Maccabi Haifa In European competitions

Season Competitions Results
1971/72 FIBA Saporta Cup First qualifying round
1985/86 FIBA Saporta Cup First round
1987/88 FIBA Korać Cup Second qualifying round
1992/93 FIBA Korać Cup Round of 64
1999/00 FIBA Korać Cup Round of 32
2010/11 FIBA EuroChallenge Top 16
2013/14 Eurocup Basketball Last 32

Season summaries

2007—08 season

Prior to the 2007-08 season, in July 2007, the team was purchased by Jeffrey Rosen.

Rosen pledged that the club would be promoted to Ligat HaAl in his first year of ownership. In order to accomplish this, Deon Thomas, a former player at Maccabi Tel Aviv, was signed to play for the club. Additionally Rosen changed the team changed its name to Maccabi Haifa Heat from Maccabi Bat Galim.

In the 2007–08 season they finished in fourth place in Liga Leumit, and earned promotion after winning the best-of-five semi-finals 3–1 against first seed Maccabi Elitzur Netanya.

2008—09 season

The 2008–09 Israeli Basketball Super League season marked the first year in which the Maccabi Haifa Heat played in the Israeli Premier League's top division under American owner Jeff Rosen. Prior to entering their 2008–09 season Maccabi Haifa had not played in the league's top division (also known as "The Super League") since 1999. Before the season began the team signed a multitude of talent to its roster which immediately took notice from around the league.

Notable pre-season signings included:

On 26 October 2008, Maccabi Haifa started its season winning its first 3 games by an average margin score of 21 points per game and won 7 of its first 9 games before running into its rival Maccabi Tel Aviv in an 80–68 loss. Led by team captain Doron Perkins the team finished the season in 3rd place with a 14–8 record, reaching the Israeli League playoffs in the team's first year back in the Premier League.

In the first round of the playoffs, Haifa defeated Bnei HaSharon in four games, 66–69, 75–71, 74–61 and 87–68. In the [Semi Finals|2008–09 Israeli Final Four] Haifa defeated Hapoel Jerusalem 98-93. In the finals, Haifa lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv 85-72.[3]

2009—10 season

On 5 August 2009, before the 2009–10 Israeli Basketball Super League season, the club announced that it would be changing its name from Maccabi Haifa Heat, to just being Maccabi Haifa. The decision to drop the "Heat" from its name due to possible confusion with NBA franchise Miami Heat.[4]

On 23 August the club signed the young high school phenom Jeremy Tyler from San Diego High School.[5]

The club finished the regular season at 4th place with a 14-8 record. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the 5th seed Elitzur Maccabi Netanya, in four games, 76–88, 75–73, 75–77 and 71–75.[6]

2010—11 season

During the 2010–11 Israeli Basketball Super League Haifa won a place in the Eurochallenge by beating the French team Paris. The club played an historic game against the NBA New Jersey Nets in front of 5,174 fans at the Prudential Center. Haifa trailed 56–43 at the break, but lost 108–70.

The 2010-11 Season was the first of two seasons under head coach Miki Gorka. Haifa finished the season in 9th place with a record of 8-19 and did not qualify for the playoffs.[7]

2011–12 season

Mickey Gorka who finished the 2010-11 season with 6 home wins in a row signed with the team as head coach for the, 2011–12 Israeli Basketball Super League season, his second season, alongside his assistant Offer Rachimi. Sylven Landesberg, Tyler Wilkerson, Avi Ben Chimol and Jermaine Jackson also returned from last season and the team signed ex N.B.A players Sean Williams and Qyntel Woods. The team would be the tallest team on average in the league – 6-foot-5 (1.98 Meters) and one of the youngest – 24.5 years-old. In November 2011, the team acquired a new main sponsor, the Oil Refineries LTD.(BAZAN) and is now called Maccabi Bazan Haifa.

Haifa finished the season final and 11th place with a record of 5-19.[8]

2012—13 season

The 2012–13 Israeli Basketball Super League season was the first every championship for Maccabi Haifa, and their first season under head coach Brad Greenberg. Haifa star, Gal Mekel, was also named the MVP of the season.[9]

Haifa was able to finish the season with a 17-10 record, which was good enough for second place. In the quarter finals, Haifa beat Hapoel Gilboa Galil in three straight games, 87-85, 93-81 and 93-87. Then in the semi finals they Hapoel Eilat in 5 games, 87-75, 105-84, 75-78 (OT), 72-82 and 71-68.

Haifa was able to win the 2012–13 Israeli Basketball Super League Final championship, on their home court, the Romema Arena in Haifa, on 13 July 2013. They defeated the prior year champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Haifa was able to win their first ever title after a 86-79 victory.[10]

2013—14 season

During the 2013–14 Israeli Basketball Super League season, for the second consecutive season, Macabbi Haifa made it to the finals, again against Maccabi Tel Aviv. For the first time in league history the finals would be a two-game, split home and home series, with the total cumulative score determining the champion.[11]

Maccabi Haifa lost game, at home, by a score of 77-81.[12] Due to the new format, Haifa would need to win the second game by 5 points in order to win the championship. Game two was played in the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv and at the end of regulation they were winning by 4 points, which was a cumulative tie, sending the game into over time. Although Haifa won the game by 2 points, 84-82, they lost the series in cumulative total score 161-163.[13]

Donta Smith was named the league's Most Valuable Player.[14]

2014—15 season

Maccabi Haifa finished the 2014–15 Israeli Basketball Super League season with a 17-16 record, putting them in a five way tie, for third place, in terms of record. Due to point differential however, they finished in fifth place.[15]

In the first round of the playoffs, Haifa played Hapoel Eilat, however they lost three games to two.[16] This ended their season, and a streak of two straight seasons of competing in the finals.

Season by season

Season Tier League Pos. Postseason Israel Cup Winner Cup European competitions
2007–08 2 Liga Leumit 4 Promoted – – – –
2008–09 1 Ligat HaAl 3 Finalist Finalist – – –
2009–10 1 Ligat HaAl 7 Quarterfinalist Second round Semi-finals – –
2010–11 1 Ligat HaAl 9 – Quarterfinals – EuroChallenge L16
2011–12 1 Ligat HaAl 11 – Second round – – –
2012–13 1 Ligat HaAl 2 Champion Finalist Finalist – –
2013–14 1 Ligat HaAl 3 Finalist Second round – Eurocup L32
2014–15 1 Ligat HaAl 5 Quarterfinalist Semi final — — —
2015–16 1 Ligat HaAl Quarter final Quarter final — —

Roster

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Maccabi Haifa roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
SF 1 Israel Willy Workman 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 26 – (1990-03-14)14 March 1990
PG 2 United States Alex Perez 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 23 – (1993-07-01)1 July 1993
SF 4 Israel Netanel Artzi 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 19 – (1997-03-21)21 March 1997
SG 5 Israel Ofek Avital 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 19 – (1997-08-28)28 August 1997
PG 6 Israel Nir Sarid 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 19 – (1997-04-25)25 April 1997
SF 8 Israel Amit Simhon 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 27 – (1989-10-22)22 October 1989
C 10 Israel Daniel Koperberg 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 19 – (1997-12-08)8 December 1997
SG 12 United States John DiBartolomeo 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 25 – (1991-06-20)20 June 1991
PF 13 United States Tony Mitchell 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 24 – (1992-04-07)7 April 1992
PF 14 Israel Oz Blayzer 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) 23 – (1992-12-29)29 December 1992
PF 22 United States Will Graves 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 28 – (1988-08-15)15 August 1988
SG 33 Mexico Orlando Mendez-Valdez 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 30 – (1986-04-29)29 April 1986
C 34 United States Jarrid Famous 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 28 – (1988-07-16)16 July 1988
Head coach
  • Israel Offer Rahimi
Assistant coach(es)
  • Israel Lior Engleman
  • Israel Tomer Steinhaeur
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: October 15, 2016

Current staff

Notable former players

  • Israel Dror Hagag (2010–2011)
  • Israel Assaf Barnea (1988–1989)
  • Israel Benjamin Marcus (1990–1993)
  • Israel Amir Mokhtari (2001–2002)
  • Israel Yitzhak Kisilov (1964–1978)
  • Israel Yitzhak Robinsthin (1954–1966)
  • Israel Moshe Bitter (1969–1978)
  • Israel Doron Shefa (1985–1987)
  • Israel Ari Rosenberg (1982–1989), (1992–1993)
  • Israel Meir Tapiro (1999–2000)
  • Israel Adi Gordon (1985–1989)
  • Israel Ze'ev Cagan (1968–1981)
  • Israel Haim Bocinder (1962–1972)
  • Israel Rani Izitk (1970–1978)
  • Israel Sahlomo Peled (1955–1965)
  • Israel Moran Roth (2003-2014)
  • Israel Ido Kozikaro (2008-2010, 2012-2014)
  • Israel Chanan Colman (2012–2013)
  • Israel Tomer Steinhauer (1985–1991), (2004–2005)
  • Israel Beny Katz (1988–1989)
  • Israel David Blatt (1982–1984)
  • Israel Koran Amisha (1989–1992)
  • Israel Avi Ben Chimol (2011–2012)
  • Israel Moshe Mizrahi (2009–2010)
  • Israel Amit Ben-David (2009–2010)
  • Israel Sylven Landesberg (2011–2012)
  • Israel Gal Mekel (2012–2013)
  • Israel Cory Carr (2012–2013)
  • Israel Bryan Cohen (2012–2013)
  • Israel Lior Segev (2012–2013)
  • Israel Alexey Chubrevich (2012–2016)
  • United States Jermaine Jackson (2011-2012)
  • United States David Mastbaum (1979–1982)
  • United States Andrew Kennedy (1999–2000)
  • United States Willie Sims (1982–1983)
  • United States Bobby Wallace (1989–1990)
  • United States Brian Randle (2013–2014)
  • United States James Terry (1984–1985)
  • United States Greg Cook (1983–1985)
  • United States Brooks Sales (2009–2010)
  • United States Cory Gaines (2001–2003)
  • United States Stanley Brundy (2001–2002)
  • United States Todd Golden (2009–2010)
  • United States Doron Perkins (2009–2010)
  • United States Ben Strong (2009–2010)
  • United States Davon Jefferson (2009–2010)
  • United States James Thomas (2012–2013)
  • United States Donta Smith (2012–2014)
  • Greece Pat Calathes (2012–2013)
  • Croatia Marco Bolic (2001–2003)
  • Mexico Paul Stoll (2012–2013)
  • Senegal Mamadou N'Diaye (2010)
  • Denmark Chanan Colman (2014–2016)
  • Venezuela Gregory Vargas (2015–2016)

Honors

Maccabi Haifa against NBA teams

3 October 2010
New Jersey Nets[17] United States 108–70 Israel Maccabi Haifa
11 October 2012
Golden State Warriors[18] United States 108–100 Israel Maccabi Haifa
16 October 2012
Minnesota Timberwolves[19] United States 114–81 Israel Maccabi Haifa
7 October 2013
Phoenix Suns[20] United States 130–89 Israel Maccabi Haifa
8 October 2013
Detroit Pistons[21] United States 91–69 Israel Maccabi Haifa
13 October 2013
Memphis Grizzlies[22] United States 116–70 Israel Maccabi Haifa
15 October 2014
Washington Wizards[23]United States 101–95 Israel Maccabi Haifa
18 October 2014
Portland Trail Blazers[24]United States 121–74 Israel Maccabi Haifa
19 October 2014
Sacramento Kings[25] United States 91–59 Israel Maccabi Haifa
22 October 2014
Toronto Raptors[26] Canada 92–85 Israel Maccabi Haifa
8 October 2015
Memphis Grizzlies[27] United States 97–84 Israel Maccabi Haifa
11 October 2015[28]
Los Angeles Lakers[27]United States 126–83 Israel Maccabi Haifa
10 October 2016
Sacramento Kings[29] United States 135–96 Israel Maccabi Haifa

International broadcasts

Individual games

When Jeffrey Rosen acquired Maccabi Haifa, he felt that his best approach at gaining financial strength for the team as well as the league, was to try and expand viewership beyond Israel. In addition their TV show Inside Israeli Basketball, Maccabi Haifa began to show taped delayed games online at triangleinternet.tv as well as YouTube.[30]

Inside Israeli Basketball

Maccabi Haifa produces an internationally broadcast television show called Inside Israeli Basketball. The show first premiered on 17 August 2010.[31]

The show has 7 episodes per season and airs November to June, with one new episode per month. The show follows the Maccabi Haifa's season, and shows highlights from each of their games. The program is hosted by Yarden Harel and was formally hosted by Becky Griffin, and produced on location by Joseph Marc Sports.[32] The show additionally, due to the broadcasting in America, focuses on the American players playing in Israel.[33]

The show is currently syndicated on the YES Network, Sun Sports, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, The Comcast Network, and SportSouth.[34]

Miami Midnites

In 2014 Maccabi Haifa became the first ever Israeli basketball team to create an international development team. Their developmental team, the Miami Midnites, play in the Florida Basketball Association, and are coached by Shakey Rodriguez.[35] The midnites, finished their first season in first place, with an 11-1 record.[36] They went on defeat the Palm Beach Knights in the semifinals and the Tampa Bay Rebels in the finals, to win the championship.[37][38]

After winning the FBA championship in the inaugural season, they announced they would be joining the American Basketball Association for the 2014–15 ABA season.[39]

References

  1. 1 2 U.S. billionaire aims to turn pet team into a powerhouse Haaretz, 21 May 2008
  2. ↑ Basketball / American billionaire buys Maccabi Haifa Haaretz, 21 July 2007
  3. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/history.asp?cYear=2009&lang=en
  4. ↑ http://mhbasket.co.il/News.asp?id=589&lang=en#.U8SUGfldVy0
  5. ↑ http://www.sportando.com/en/cat/nba/78733/now-it-s-official-tyler-in-haifa.html
  6. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/history.asp?cYear=2010&lang=en
  7. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/history.asp?cYear=2011&lang=en
  8. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/history.asp?cYear=2012&lang=en
  9. ↑ http://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=274&docID=144389&lang=HE
  10. ↑ http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Israel/2013/0613_159_2732.asp
  11. ↑ http://www.timesofisrael.com/maccabi-tel-aviv-win-euroleague-final-98-86/
  12. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/BoxScore.asp?GameID=21227&lang=en
  13. ↑ http://www.basket.co.il/BoxScore.asp?GameID=21230&lang=en#
  14. ↑ Jerusalem lands Israeli League MVP Smith
  15. ↑ Israeli championship champions group results and standings
  16. ↑ Eilat edges Mac Haifa in rubber match, advances to semis
  17. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301003017
  18. ↑ http://www.nba.com/games/20121011/MACGSW/gameinfo.html
  19. ↑ http://www.nba.com/games/20121016/MACMIN/gameinfo.html
  20. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400491502
  21. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400491513
  22. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400491539
  23. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400583970
  24. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400583986
  25. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/sac/sacramento-kings
  26. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400584020
  27. 1 2 http://espn.go.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=400830100
  28. ↑ Lakers open preseason in Hawaii
  29. ↑ http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400897110
  30. ↑ http://triangleinternet.tv/"TriangleInternet".TriangleInternet.Retrieved25August2014. 
  31. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1934683/"InsideIsraeliBasketball".InsideIsraeliBasketball.Retrieved25August2014. 
  32. ↑ http://www.trianglefs.com/ssp/news?news_id=183"TriangleFinancialServices".TriangleFinancialServices.Retrieved25August2014. 
  33. ↑ http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/inside-israeli-basketball/cast/346638"InsideIsraeliBasketball".InsideIsraeliBasketball.Retrieved25August2014. 
  34. ↑ http://www.trianglefs.com/ssp/news?news_id=183"InsideIsraeliBasketballNominatedfor2012NewYorkEmmy®Award".Retrieved25August2014. 
  35. ↑ http://www.miamimidnites.com/miami-wins.html"MIAMIMIDNITESANNOUNCEINAUGURAL2014SUMMERSEASON".Retrieved25August2014. 
  36. ↑ http://mkin26.wix.com/fl-bball-assoc#!standings/c1dl5
  37. ↑ http://thefba.wix.com/fl-bball-assoc#!schedule-and-results/c1x9v
  38. ↑ Sports Scene: Miami Midnites of Maccabi Haifa win Florida Basketball Association title - Retrieved 17 November 2014
  39. ↑ Midnites joining ABA - Retrieved November 17, 2014
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