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Maccabi Haifa B.C.

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Maccabi Haifa Basketball Club (Hebrew: מועדון הכדורסל מכבי חיפה) known for sponsorship reasons as Maccabi XT Haifa (מכבי XT חיפה‎) is a professional basketball club based in the city of Haifa in Israel. It is the basketball section of the Maccabi Haifa association. The team plays in the Liga Artzit (the third tier of Israeli basketball). The team currently plays in the Romema Arena, which is home to 5,000 spectators .

Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa logo
NicknameThe Greens
The Greens from the Carmel
LeaguesLiga Artzit
Founded1954; 70 years ago (1954)
HistoryMaccabi Haifa
1954–1999, 2009–present
B.C. Haifa
2000-2003
B.C. Haifa/Nesher
2003-2005
Maccabi Haifa/Bat Galim
2005-2006
Maccabi Haifa/Carmel
2006-2007
Maccabi Haifa Heat
2007-2009
ArenaRomema Arena
Capacity5,000
LocationHaifa, Israel
Team coloursGreen, White
   
CEOIsrael Roy Shvetz
Head coachIsrael Benny Katz
Team captainIsrael Omer Levi
OwnershipMaccabi Haifa Carmel
Championships1 Israeli Championships

History

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1950s

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Maccabi Haifa basketball Club was established in 1954 in the port city of Haifa in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem Maccabi Haifa, known as "The Greens," 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][2][3] The club would struggle its first years of existence as they would fail to achieve a winning record in its first five seasons in the league and eventually were relegated in 1960.

1960s

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Maccabi Haifa would make their return to the Premier League in 1961 as they would stay in the Premier League for the majority of the decade, though the club would undergo many ups and downs through the 1960s. The team would finish the 1967 season with a winning record, their first in club history.

1970s

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The 1970s would see Maccabi Haifa struggle again in the Premier League. In 1971, the club would reach the Israeli Basketball State Cup finals where they would lose to champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Haifa would qualify for international competition for the first time in club history in the form of the 1971–72 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup, the team would be eliminated in the first round by French side Denain Voltaire. Maccabi Haifa would once again suffer relegation in 1974, however, this would be short lived as the club would return to the Premier League the following season. Maccabi Haifa wouldn’t escape relegation for long, however, as the club would yet again suffer relegation in 1978.[2][4]

1980s

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The 1980s would be a much more stable decade for Maccabi Haifa basketball. After a two year absence, the club made their return to the Premier League in 1980, where they would maintain form and stay altogether in the Premier League for the entire decade. Maccabi Haifa would qualify for the Premier League playoffs for the first time in 1984. In 1985, the club would once again reach the finals of the State Cup, before losing once again to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Haifa made their return to international competition participating in the 1985–86 FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup, the team would defeat Cypriot side ENAD in the first round before falling to Yugoslav side Jugoplastika. Maccabi Haifa would qualify for the 1987–88 FIBA Korać Cup were the club would defeat Cypriot side Achilleas Kaimakli in the first round before being eliminated by French side ASVEL in the second round. Koren Amisha would be named the winner of the 1990 Israeli League Rising Star.

1990s

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Despite optimism from the 1980s, the 1990s would prove to be a disastrous era for Maccabi Haifa. The team would qualify for the 1992–93 FIBA Korać Cup where they were eliminated in the second round by French side Gravelines. Maccabi Haifa tenure in the Premier League would come to an end in 1993, as the club would end up facing relegation. Despite this, Gary Alexander would lead the league in total rebounds per game. The misfortunes kept continuing as the club would last three seasons in the National League before being relegated yet again to the third tier. The club would be able to achieve back-to-back promotions to the National League and the Premier League. The club returned to international competition in the form of the 1999–2000 FIBA Korać Cup were the club would defeat Cypriot side Keravnos Keo in the first round, the club would also top their group in the second round and advance to the playoffs where they would be eliminated by Italian side Pepsi Rimini.

2000s

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The 2000s would see drastic changes to Maccabi Haifa. In 2000, Haifa mayor Amram Mitzna merged Maccabi Haifa with Hapoel Haifa to form a new club called B.C. Haifa.[1] The 2000–01 Premier League season would see the team finish the season in fourth place in the league table, qualifying for the playoffs where they would be defeated in the semifinals by Maccabi Tel Aviv. B.C. Haifa’s Stanley Brundy lead the league in rebounds per game and Corey Gaines would lead the league in assists per game.

B.C. Haifa were able to maintain the same form for the 2001–02 Premier League season as the team would again finish fourth place and would qualify for the playoffs once more. Once again, B.C. Haifa weren’t able to overpower Maccabi Tel Aviv as they would suffer elimination once more by the perennial champions in the semifinals. Stanley Brundy and Corey Gaines would yet again lead the league in their respective rebounds and assists per game categories.

Despite having success the past two seasons, the 2002–03 season would be one that B.C. Haifa would struggle as the club would finish with a disappointing eleventh place in the league, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Corey Gaines would once again become the few bright spots on the team as he would once again lead the league in assists per game.

B.C. Haifa would undergo a name change from B.C. Haifa to B.C. Haifa/Nesher. While having shown previous success a few seasons ago, the club would begin to experience financial difficulties.[4] The 2003–04 season would be a reflection of this as the club would yet again finish eleventh place, failing to make the playoffs and just avoiding relegation.

The financial difficulties would lead the club to a crashing end as the team would finish the 2004–05 season in twelfth place and ultimately relegation to the National League. The club fate would ultimately see them fold and the last rights of the club would be sold to Bnei HaSharon. The overall merger of Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa would become a failure that caused a drastic impact of the two clubs as they would later reform into different entities.

In an attempt to salvage the club, former officials decided to change the name of the team's previous second team Maccabi Bat Galim to Maccabi Haifa/Bat Galim officially restoring to Maccabi Haifa name that had been dormant for six years, the main goals was to restore the club's glory days.[5] Maccabi Haifa would have to restart in the third tier, they would achieve promotion back to the National League in 2007. That same year saw Maccabi Haifa being purchased by American businessman Jeffrey Rosen, who invested heavily in the club.[2][4] In 2008, Maccabi Haifa were officially promoted back to the Premier League.

 
Doron Perkins

Jeffrey Rosen investment of the club would show in the 2008–09 season as the team would finish second place in the league. Doron Perkins would become a key piece to the team's success as he would take the 2009 League MVP and would be selected into the 2009 All-Premier League First Team. Davon Jefferson would also excel well as he would win the 2009 Premier League 6th Man of the Year award. Maccabi Haifa coach Avi Ashkenazi would win 2009 Premier League Coach of the Year. The team would reach the Premier League finals before falling once more to champions Maccabi Tel Aviv. The team would also reach the finals of the 2009 State Cup would they would fall to winners Hapoel Holon.

Maccabi Haifa would continue their success as the team would finish third place in the 2009–10 regular season. Despite this, Maccabi Haifa would end up getting upset in the quarterfinals against Elitzur Netanya.

2010s

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The 2010–11 season would see Maccabi Haifa return to international competition in the form of the 2010–11 FIBA EuroChallenge. Maccabi Haifa would advance out the qualifying round defeating French side Paris-Levallois, they would finish second place in the group in the regular season and qualify for the Round of 16, however, the team would finish third place in their group and fail to make the quarterfinals. Maccabi Haifa were unable to continue their success the past two seasons as the club would finish the league season with a disappointing ninth place finish.

Maccabi Haifa would end up hitting yet another dead end as the team would yet again have another disappointing season as the team would finish the 2011–12 in eleventh place, the team would just narrowly avoid relegation. The season would help show glimpses of what would be a memorable next season to come.

 
Gal Mekel

The 2012–13 Premier League season would become one of the most memorable seasons in Maccabi Haifa history as the team would finish the regular season in second place. Gal Mekel would become one of the biggest pieces of Maccabi Haifa’s success as he would become the 2012 League MVP and be elected into the 2012 All-Premier League First Team. His teammate, Pat Calathes would also achieve 2012 All-Premier League First Team recommendation as well. The team's success in 2012 would lead to Brad Greenberg winning the 2012 Premier League Coach of the Year. The team's success would lead them all the way to the Premier League final we’re they would once again meet rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi Haifa would win their first-ever championship in franchise history defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv.[2][4][6] Pat Calathes would become the hero for Maccabi Haifa as he would win the 2012 Premier League Finals MVP.

 
Donta Smith

The expectations were high for the defending champions of the Premier League as the Maccabi Haifa would participate in the 2013–14 EuroCup. Maccabi Haifa would finish second place in their group in the regular season, this would allow them to advance to the Round of 32, where they would end up finishing last place in their group and thus elimination from the EuroCup. Maccabi Haifa would continue their league success as the team would finish third place in the regular season. Maccabi Haifa would once again have a League MVP as Donta Smith would win the 2014 Premier League MVP and 2014 All-Premier League First Team selection. Brian Randle would become one of the best defensive players in the league as he would win the 2014 Premier League Defensive Player of the Year. The team would once again make the Premier League finals, we’re they meet once more against Maccabi Tel Aviv, the results, however, we’re different as Maccabi Tel Aviv would come out victorious. Maccabi Haifa’s Dagan Yivzori would end up winning the 2014 Premier League Finals MVP.

Maccabi Haifa would continue their string of playoff appearances as the team would finish the 2014-15 season in fifth place. Ike Ofoegbu would be selected in the 2015 All-Premier League First Team. Maccabi Haifa were unable to reach the finals once more as the team would be eliminated in the quarterfinals against Hapoel Eilat.

Maccabi Haifa showed glimpses of their previous success as the team would finish with a third place finish in 2015-16 the regular season. Gregory Vargas would be one of the biggest focuses of the team as he would win the 2016 Premier League Defensive Player of the Year. Maccabi Haifa would once more see disappointment in the playoffs as they would be once again eliminated in the quarterfinals, this time against eventual league champions Maccabi Rishon LeZion.

 
John DiBartolomeo

The 2016-17 would be considered as a rollercoaster for Maccabi Haifa. The team finished eighth place in the league, qualifying for the playoffs once more. One of the most important players was John DiBartolomeo who became a star in the league as he would win 2017 Premier League MVP and also selected into the 2017 All-Premier League First Team. Gregory Vargas would also once again win the 2017 Premier League Defensive Player of the Year. Despite being the eighth seed, Maccabi Haifa managed to make it all the way to the Premier League Finals where they would fall to eventual champions Hapoel Jerusalem.

Despite everything going well for Maccabi Haifa in the 2010s, the 2017-18 season would signal the downfall of the team once more. Maccabi Haifa would have a disappointing season and would end up finishing twelfth place in the league. The team lost the tie-breaker against Maccabi Rishon LeZion and thus were ultimately relegated to the National League for the first time since 2008. Maccabi Haifa’s stay in the National League would be short-lived as the team would quickly be promoted back to the Premier League the following season.

The 2019-20 saw Maccabi Haifa back in the Premier League, the team would return to the playoffs as they would finish sixth place in the league. James Young helped lead the way as he would lead the league in Points per Game for the campaign. Maccabi Haifa we’re quickly eliminated in the Round of 16 against Maccabi Rishon LeZion.

2020s

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Maccabi Haifa were unable to achieve success in the 2020-21 season. Maccabi Haifa made their return to international competition by joining the Balkan International Basketball League the team would end up finishing their regular season group in dead last as the team went winless and eliminated from the competition. The Premier League didn’t go any better as the team would finish the season in twelfth place and ultimately relegation back to the National League once more.

Arena

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Romema Arena, home arena of the club
 
Yiftach Ziv

Between 2010 and 2012, the team played temporary at Ramot Itzhak Hall in Nesher, because the home arena Romema was renovated and its capacity was increased to 5,000 seats.

Honours and records

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Oz Blayzer
 
Gregory Vargas

Israeli Basketball Premier League

Israeli Basketball State Cup

  • Runner up (4) : 1970–1971, 1984–1985, 2008-2009, 2012-2013

Lower division competitions

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Liga Artzit / National League (2nd)

  • Winners: 1956, 1961, 1974 (North Division), 1980 (North Division), 2019

Roster

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Current roster

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

Maccabi Haifa roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Age
G 4   Tal, Noam 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 18 – (2006-09-11)11 September 2006
F/C 5   Shoutvin, Anton 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 35 – (1989-01-25)25 January 1989
PG 6   Ben Tzvi, Ziv 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 32 – (1992-05-28)28 May 1992
F 8   Mesilati, Raphael 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 20 – (2004-04-12)12 April 2004
PG 9   Holodov, Evgeny 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 28 – (1996-01-19)19 January 1996
PG 12   Friedkin, Joshua 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 25 – (1999-09-02)2 September 1999
G 13   Kozikaro, Roi 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 21 – (2003-06-15)15 June 2003
C 14   Sror, Elia 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) 29 – (1995-07-22)22 July 1995
PG 15   Zacks, Ram 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) 26 – (1998-03-04)4 March 1998
G 17   Melnik, Gilad 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) 23 – (2001-03-01)1 March 2001
G 23   Yakuel, Eled 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 18 – (2006-03-16)16 March 2006
G 24   Levi, Omer (C) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 28 – (1996-10-18)18 October 1996
G 27   Tsedaka, Adam 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 29 – (1995-03-16)16 March 1995
SG 30   Abu-Ahmad, Azmi 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 28 – (1995-12-23)23 December 1995
Head coach
  •   Benny Katz
Assistant coach(es)
  •   Lior Barnea
  •   Steve Panovka
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  •   Injured

Notable players

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

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Accomplishments per season

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  First Tier
  Second Tier
  Third Tier

  • FR = First Round
  • SR = Second Round
  • R16 = Round of 16
  • QF = Quarter-Final
  • SF = Semi-Final
  • DNP = Do not play
  • DNQ = Do not qualify

Maccabi Haifa in European competitions

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First Qualified

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In the 1971/1972 season, Maccabi Haifa participated for the first time in European competitions when it qualified for the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup due to having qualified for the Israeli Final cup 1970/1971. Maccabi was eliminated after the first round, in which it lost to the French side Denain Voltaire .

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
First round   Denain Voltaire 82-109 (H) 76-91 (A) 158–200

Second Qualified and First Win

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In the 1985/1986 season, it qualified again for the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup due to having qualified for the Israeli Final cup 1984/1985 in the first round, and defeated ENAD Ayiou Dometiou from Cyprus after winning in both games, in the first leg 125-58 and in the second leg 94–55. In the second round it lost to Jugoplastika from the Republic of Yugoslavia

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
First round   ENAD Ayiou Dometiou 125-58(A) 94-55 (H) 219-113
Second round   Jugoplastika 78-114 (A) 55-94 (H) 164-201

Korać Cup

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In the 1987/1986 season, it qualified for the first time for the Korać Cup after defeating Achilleas Kaimakli from Cyprus 217–90 in aggregate (96-49 in the first leg, and 121–41 in the second leg). In the second round it defeated ASVEL Basket in the first leg, but lost in the second and was eliminated.

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
First round   Achilleas Kaimakli 96-49 (A) 121-41 (H) 217-90
Second round   ASVEL Basket 103-89 (H) 75-93 (A) 178-182

In the 1992/1993 season, the team once again participated in the Korać Cup, and qualified directly for the second round, and was eliminated by Gravelines-Dunkerque from France after it lost in both legs (86-90 loss at home, and 60–81 away).

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
Second round   Gravelines-Dunkerque 86-90 (H) 60-81 (A) 146–171

Group stage

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In the 1999/2000 season it qualified for the first time for the main tournament after beating the Cypriot team Keravnos (draw 67–67 in the first game away, and a 57–66 win away). Maccabi was a draw for Group C with Pallacanestro Reggiana from Italy and Nikol Fert from Macedonia (KK Beopetrol from the Republic of Yugoslavia withdrew from the competition). The team finished in first place with three wins against one loss and qualified for the quarterfinals, where they lost to Italian Pepsi Rimini 127–139 in aggregate.

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
First round   Keravnos 67–67 (A) 66-57 (H) 133-124
Group stage   Nikol Fert Gostivar 72-45 (H) 92-86 (A)
  Bipop Carire Reggiana 80-65 (H) 69-70 (A)
Quarter Finals   Pepsi Rimini 61-81 (A) 66-58 (H) 127-139

EuroChallenge

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Brandon Bowman

In the 2010/2011 season, the team participated in the EuroChallenge Cup (which was the 3rd-tier level men's professional continental club basketball competition in Europe). It qualified for the main tournament by beating Paris-Levallois Basket in the qualifying round after it lost 63–75 in the first leg in Paris, and in the second leg won 89-66 (152-141 in aggregate). The team was placed in Group B with Skyliners Frankfurt from Germany, BK Ventspils from Latvia, and the Ukraine team Khimik Yuzhne. The team finished in second place with three wins against three losses and qualified for the last 16 stage where the teams was drawn with the Israeli team Barak Netanya, Academic Sofia from Bulgaria, and Spartak Saint Petersburg from Russia, and was eliminated after it finished in third place with two wins and four losses.

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
Qualifying Round   Paris Levallois 63-75 (A) 89-66 (H) 152-141
Regular season   Skyliners Frankfurt 83-78 (A) 54-53 (H)
  BK Ventspils 80-86 (H) 62-99 (A)
  Khimik Yuzhne 81-77 (A) 75-82 (H)
Last 16   PBC Academic 78-95 (H) 69-87 (A)
  Barak Netanya 80-73 (A) 74-77 (H)
  Saint Petersburg 60-101 (A) 86–92 (H)

EuroCup

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Ike Ofoegbu
 
Moran Roth

After winning a historic championship the previous season and choosing not to participate in the Euroleague qualifiers in the 2013/2014 season, the team participated in the EuroCup in the regular season and was drawn into Group G with the Russian Unicas Kazan, Banvit Bandırma from Turkey, VEF Rīga (Latvia), MZT Skopje (Macedonia), and also Kalev/Vremo (Estonia).

The team finished in second place with six wins against four losses and qualified for the last 32 stage where the teams was drawn with the Montepaschi Siena from Italy, BC Khimki Moscow Region from Russia, and the Czech team ERA Nymburk. The team won twice (including an 86-66 vs Montepaschi Siena, but was eliminated due to its head-to-head record.

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
Regular season   BC UNICS 67-75 (H) 58-79 (A)
  KK MZT Skopje 86-83 (A) 79-60 (H)
  BK VEF Rīga 94-73 (A) 74-72 (H)
  Banvit Bandırma 72-69 (H) 76-95 (A)
  BC Kalev/Cramo 68-64 (A) 70-75 (H)
Last 32   ČEZ Nymburk 80-75 (H) 53-68 (A)
  BC Khimki 48-87 (A) 66-86 (H)
  Montepaschi Siena 86-66 (H) 73-92 (A)

Balkan League

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12 teams from Israel joined the league, after suspension of the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team was drawn into Norte Group B with Ironi Nahariya and Hapoel Gilboa Galil; it lost against Ironi Nahariya, and was eliminated.

Round Opponent 1st leg 2nd leg Aggregate
Regular season   Ironi Nahariya 80-86 (H) 81-87 (A)
  Hapoel Gilboa Galil 81-92 (A) 82-86 (H)

Matches against NBA teams

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3 October 2010
New Jersey Nets   108–70   Maccabi Haifa
11 October 2012
Golden State Warriors   108–100   Maccabi Haifa
16 October 2012
Minnesota Timberwolves   114–81   Maccabi Haifa
7 October 2013
Phoenix Suns   130–89   Maccabi Haifa
13 October 2013
Memphis Grizzlies   116–70   Maccabi Haifa
15 October 2014
Washington Wizards   101–95   Maccabi Haifa
17 October 2014
Portland Trail Blazers   121–74   Maccabi Haifa
18 October 2014
Sacramento Kings   91–59   Maccabi Haifa
22 October 2014
Toronto Raptors   92–85   Maccabi Haifa
8 October 2015
Memphis Grizzlies   97–84   Maccabi Haifa
11 October 2015
Los Angeles Lakers   126–83   Maccabi Haifa
10 October 2016
Sacramento Kings   135–96   Maccabi Haifa
4 October 2017
Utah Jazz   117–78   Maccabi Haifa
10 October 2017
Indiana Pacers   108–89   Maccabi Haifa
13 October 2017
Portland Trail Blazers   129–81   Maccabi Haifa
8 October 2018
Sacramento Kings   132–100   Maccabi Haifa
11 October 2018
Los Angeles Clippers   124–76   Maccabi Haifa
6 October 2019
Memphis Grizzlies   123–88   Maccabi Haifa
10 October 2019
Portland Trail Blazers   104[11]–68   Maccabi Haifa
13 October 2019
Minnesota Timberwolves   131–101   Maccabi Haifa

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "U.S. billionaire aims to turn pet team into a powerhouse", Haaretz, 21 May 2008
  2. ^ a b c d "An Inside Look at Maccabi Haifa". Portland Trail Blazers.
  3. ^ "Maccabi Haifa to play against Golden State Warriors on Oct 11!"
  4. ^ a b c d "Maccabi Haifa Bazan". www.euroleague.net.
  5. ^ Basketball / "American billionaire buys Maccabi Haifa", Haaretz, 21 July 2007
  6. ^ "Maccabi Haifa BC". www.thesportsdb.com.
  7. ^ As a Third division team that does not participating the state cup
  8. ^ Maccabi Haifa/Bat Galim
  9. ^ As a Third division team that does not participating the state cup
  10. ^ As a second division team that does not participating the state cup
  11. ^ "Haifa Maccabi Haifa vs. Portland Trail Blazers - NBA Box Score - October 10, 2019".
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