01In brief
The 2024–25 Leumit League season was a campaign in Israel's second-tier basketball division, a league described as an important setting for developing young Israeli players. Maccabi Rishon Lezion claimed the championship by defeating Hapoel Eilat 89–75 in the decisive fifth game, winning the finals 3–2 and securing promotion to the Premier League after three seasons in the second division. The deciding game included an hour-long interruption after Hapoel Eilat center Brandon Huffman broke the backboard with a dunk.
02Background
The Leumit League is Israel's second-tier basketball division and has been described as a strong setting for the development of young Israeli players.[1] The 2024–25 season ended with two clubs earning promotion to the Israel Basketball Premier League: champion Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Maccabi Ra'anana.[2]
03Course of Events
Maccabi Rishon Lezion's path to the championship was far from straightforward. The club started poorly and fell as low as 10th place before making roster changes.[2] It released two underperforming imports and added Qua Grant and DJ Burns, moves that helped reverse the team's fortunes.[2]
The Leumit League final between Rishon Lezion and Hapoel Eilat was a closely contested five-game series. Rishon opened by winning Game 1 on the road, but Eilat responded by taking Game 2 away from home and then Game 3 on its home court to lead the series 2–1.[2] Rishon leveled the series in Game 4, winning 92–87 at home with DJ Burns scoring 26 points to force a deciding fifth game in Eilat.[3]
The winner-take-all fifth game produced one of the season's most dramatic episodes. Eilat seized an early lead, but Rishon Lezion responded to take a 24–19 advantage after the first quarter.[2] In the second quarter, Eilat center Brandon Huffman broke the backboard with a dunk, bringing the game to a halt for an hour while the basket was repaired.[2] Rishon led 40–39 at halftime and then fell behind 62–59 after three quarters, before pulling away in the final period to win 89–75.[2]
Qua Grant was the standout performer for Rishon Lezion in the decider, finishing with 31 points, while DJ Burns added 21 and Josh Freund contributed 17.[2] Hapoel Eilat was led by Dusty Hannahs, who scored 30 points; Porat added 15, and Brandon Huffman scored 11.[2]
04Aftermath
The championship secured Maccabi Rishon Lezion's return to the Israel Basketball Premier League after three seasons in the Leumit League.[2] Guard Amit Reuven said the team had climbed from 10th place after roster adjustments and the arrival of two important players. He described the five-game final as one of the best series he had experienced in five years in the Leumit League.[2]
Coach Sharon Drucker emphasized defense and said the team's review of its Game 3 defeat produced adjustments implemented in the final two games.[2] He called the players a group of "warriors" and added, "We did it our way, like Frank Sinatra's famous song."[2]
Sources
- 1The Jerusalem Post – Israel’s national hoops ‘process’ in full swing (accessed September 18, 2026)
- 2The Jerusalem Post – Rishon Lezion earns promotion as Leumit League champion (accessed September 18, 2026)
- 3The Jerusalem Post – Rishon-vs-Eilat final heads to decisive Game 5 (accessed September 18, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What was the 2024–25 Leumit League season?
The 2024–25 Leumit League season was a campaign in Israel's second-tier basketball division, a league described as an important setting for developing young Israeli players. Maccabi Rishon Lezion claimed the championship by defeating Hapoel Eilat 89–75 in a decisive fifth game, winning the finals 3–2 and securing promotion to the Premier League after three seasons in the second division.
Which teams earned promotion to the Israel Basketball Premier League at the end of the 2024–25 Leumit League season?
Two clubs earned promotion to the Israel Basketball Premier League at the end of the 2024–25 Leumit League season: champion Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Maccabi Ra'anana.
How did Maccabi Rishon Lezion turn their season around after a poor start?
Maccabi Rishon Lezion fell as low as 10th place before making roster changes, releasing two underperforming imports and adding Qua Grant and DJ Burns. Those moves helped reverse the team's fortunes and ultimately led them to the championship.
What was the dramatic incident during Game 5 of the 2024–25 Leumit League final?
During the second quarter of the decisive fifth game, Hapoel Eilat center Brandon Huffman broke the backboard with a dunk, bringing the game to a halt for an hour while the basket was repaired. Maccabi Rishon Lezion led 40–39 at halftime and went on to win the game 89–75.
Who were the top scorers in the decisive fifth game of the 2024–25 Leumit League final?
Qua Grant was the standout performer for Maccabi Rishon Lezion in the decider, finishing with 31 points, while DJ Burns added 21 and Josh Freund contributed 17. Hapoel Eilat was led by Dusty Hannahs, who scored 30 points, with Porat adding 15 and Brandon Huffman scoring 11.
What adjustments did Maccabi Rishon Lezion's coach make after losing Game 3 of the final?
Coach Sharon Drucker emphasized defense and said the team's review of its Game 3 defeat produced adjustments that were implemented in the final two games. He called the players a group of "warriors" and added, "We did it our way, like Frank Sinatra's famous song."