2024–25 Israeli Women's Basketball Premier League

Women's basketball occupies a prominent place in Israeli sports culture, with major matches capable of drawing several thousand spectators.[3] Older reference overviews consistently identify Elitzur Ramle as a regular contender, but differ on whether Elitzur Holon or Anda Ramat Hasharon was its principal rival.[4][3] Elitzur Ramle and Anda Ramat Hasharon have also competed in European competitions.[4]

Maccabi Bnot Ashdod advanced through the playoffs in dramatic fashion. In a win-or-go-home semifinal, Ashdod trailed by one point with two seconds remaining when a missed free throw gave league MVP Abby Meyers a last-chance opportunity. Meyers grabbed the rebound, turned, and released the shot immediately, converting the basket to send Ashdod through.[5] She scored 20 points in that game.[5] Meyers later recalled, “I instinctively got the rebound, flung myself around and shot the ball all in a moment.”[5]

The championship series went the full five games before Ashdod closed it out against Hapoel Rishon Lezion. In the decisive fifth game, Ashdod seized control early, building a 23–11 lead after the opening quarter and never surrendering it, ultimately winning 76–60.[1] Captain Dor Saar recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists, and Stasha Carey added 19 points and 11 rebounds.[1] Kseniya Malashka also contributed 19 points for the champions.[1] Rishon Lezion was led by Shae Kelley with 22 points and Ariel Hearn with 21 points, though neither could close the gap.[1]

The championship completed a historic triple crown for Maccabi Bnot Ashdod, which had also won the Winner Cup and the State Cup during the same season.[2] It was the club's seventh league title overall.[1]

Coach Shira Haelion, who guided Ashdod to the championship, earned her third title as a head coach, having previously won two championships with Ramle.[1] Haelion described the season as spanning from the Winner Cup to the league title, noting that Ashdod had won three trophies in total.[1]

Abby Meyers was named the league's Most Valuable Player after averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 43.7% from three-point range during the season.[2] Meyers, who joined Ashdod after a spell with the London Lions, had first connected with Israel in 2022 when she captained Team USA to a gold medal at the Maccabiah Games.[5] She said that playing in Israel during wartime gave her a stronger sense of community, meaning, and belonging.[5] She later said she had felt safe in Ashdod despite sometimes having to go to shelters.[2]

Following the final, captain Dor Saar said she had been focused solely on winning rather than on personal statistics, and credited coach Haelion, the club, and the professional staff for the success. She expressed that her next ambition was to compete at the European level.[1]