Yovel Zoosman

Zoosman developed within Maccabi Tel Aviv’s basketball system and made his professional debut with the club in 2015, at age 15.[6] His early development also included a loan season with second-division Maccabi Ra’anana before he established himself at Maccabi Tel Aviv.[3][6]

In 2017, Zoosman signed a four-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv and became an integral part of the club.[6] Across his approximately six years with Maccabi, apart from his loan season at Ra’anana, he won four Israeli league championships and a cup.[3] During the 2018–19 Israeli league season, he averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in roughly 24 minutes per game.[7] In that season’s quarterfinal playoff series against Hapoel Tel Aviv, he averaged 10 points and shot 50 percent from three-point range as Maccabi swept the series.[7]

Zoosman played a leading role in Israel’s victory at the 2018 Under-20 European Championship in Germany.[2] Israel defeated Croatia 80–66 in the final in Chemnitz, securing its first championship in the competition.[8][2] Zoosman contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds in the final and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.[2] His tournament averages were 14.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Deni Avdija was also selected to the championship’s first team.[2]

In 2019, Zoosman declared for the NBA Draft and worked out for several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.[7] Although projected for a possible selection around picks 50–60, he was not selected in either round of the June 20 draft.[7] He subsequently joined Cleveland for the NBA Summer League.[7] His early appearances included a four-point performance in 14 minutes and another game in which he played six minutes without scoring.[7]

Zoosman left Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2021 and joined ALBA Berlin alongside Israeli guard Tamir Blatt.[3] With ALBA, he won both the German league championship and the German cup in 2021–22.[3] In January 2022, he returned to Maccabi’s home arena as an opposing player.[9] Reflecting on that return, he said: “I know this arena so well. I can’t forget any part of it and I even noticed all of the small changes that were made. This was my home and I am happy with the seasons that I played here.”[9]

The move to Germany brought personal and professional adjustments: Zoosman described living abroad as difficult, while also saying that he was maturing and learning about himself.[9] ALBA coach Israel Gonzalez said Zoosman initially struggled with the team’s transition-heavy style but was improving and demonstrating maturity and composure.[9] His former Maccabi coach, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, also expressed satisfaction with his progress.[9]

In July 2023, after two seasons in Berlin, Zoosman signed a three-year contract with Hapoel Jerusalem.[6] His preceding season’s averages across all competitions were 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.[6] Hapoel owner Matan Adelson said Zoosman had been a leading recruitment target from the outset, citing both his Israeli league and EuroLeague performances and his character.[6]

Explaining his decision to return to Israel, Zoosman said he considered himself a legitimate EuroLeague player but felt that ALBA’s defined roles and ceiling on playing time restricted his opportunities.[10] Discussions with Jerusalem persuaded him that the club had a clear role in mind for him, and he described joining it as an opportunity he had long wanted.[10] His first season nevertheless required adjustment to a team with an established core, and he said that changes and unsettled circumstances affected his ability to find his place.[11] As he put it: “When I arrived in Jerusalem, I thought I would lead it immediately, as a player coming from the EuroLeague, but it isn’t that simple.”[11]

In the 2023–24 Israeli league season, Zoosman averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game.[11] A 2024 victory over Hapoel Holon included 19 points, five steals and three assists, together with a career-best efficiency rating of 35 in 32 minutes.[12] Looking back on his development, he described his Maccabi role as that of a young player known primarily for defense, while his EuroLeague and German experience had changed his perspective.[11]

Hapoel Jerusalem appointed Zoosman captain in August 2024.[4] Coach Jonathan Alon linked the appointment to responsibility, commitment, professionalism and humility, while Zoosman said he felt at home in Jerusalem and closely connected to the city, its fans and its community.[4] By November 2024, he was averaging 10 points per game across all competitions and shooting 42.3 percent from three-point range.[1] He described his first experience of team captaincy as a great honor.[1]

In May 2025, Zoosman extended his Jerusalem contract for three further years, through 2028.[5] He later said captaincy had made him more mature, more vocal and more responsible, although he continued to regard himself as a quiet leader.[5] Ahead of Jerusalem’s November 4, 2026, EuroCup game against Aris Thessaloniki, he was available along with the rest of the squad except Jared Harper.[13] Zoosman characterized Aris as strong, aggressive, physical and athletic, while expressing confidence that Jerusalem understood what it needed to do.[13]

Zoosman’s most prominent international achievement was his MVP performance in Israel’s first Under-20 European Championship victory in 2018.[2] Reflecting on the championship in 2024, he described it as a special achievement built on teamwork and spoke of his pride in representing Israel.[1] His club honors encompass Israeli championships with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the German league and cup double with ALBA Berlin.[3]