And here they are: The ranking of the top five games of the year
From last week’s big win over Maccabi Tel Aviv to the red wall honoring Hersh's return — these are the biggest games of the year.
01/01/2025
| 12:00
| Magazine
The year 2024 comes to an end as the basketball season deepens its rhythm. No Hapoel fan’s life hasn’t changed completely over the past year, but Hapoel was an escape for each of us, in moments of joyous wins and painful losses. To mark the end of the year, we invite you to choose your Game of the Year 2024. Watch the highlights and vote on the WhatsApp channel!
5. Season 2024/25 - EuroCup: Round 7
In early November, Hapoel arrived injured for the home game against Venezia. Austin Wiley and Justin Smith were still out, and Derek Ogbeide made his debut. Speedy Smith left the club the morning of the game, so the roster was very thin. Despite that, Ogbeide played well with 9 points and 8 rebounds, Israeli players scored 43 points together with Noam Dovrat playing his best game since returning from injury. Jeremy Morgan hit threes at great percentages, and Jared Harper exploded with 30 points. The team sailed to a resounding 94-66 victory on Italian soil. Watch the game highlights:
4. Season 2024/25 - Winner League: Round 11
Not long ago, Hapoel beat Maccabi Tel Aviv at Pais Arena. Coming off a bad patch with four losses in five games, it looked like the story was over before it began. But the team stormed the court from the first second with an 18:2 run that the yellow team never recovered from. Captain Yuval Zosman was hot with 17 points and four triples in five attempts; Jared Harper added 30 points. Hapoel hopes this win put them back on track, having since also beaten Netanya and preparing to face Aris Thessaloniki in EuroCup. Watch the highlights from the win against Maccabi Tel Aviv:
3. Season 2023/24 - State Cup Quarterfinal
In coach Yonatan Alon’s first game, after European elimination, coach firing, and five losses in seven games, the opponent arrived in good form. Zach Hankins dominated inside and Kadin Carrington scored 18 points to secure the victory and keep the title. Watch the game recap:
2. Season 2023/24 - Basketball Champions League: Top 16
Every win in the Top 16 is crucial. With six games in this stage, each can decide a season. Hapoel came as a clear underdog, especially without its fans. The team kept the defensive identity from the previous season, holding the opponent to 6 points in the first quarter, added a fantastic 30 points in the third quarter, and crushed the Spanish machine 85:61. Watch the highlights:
1. Season 2023/24 - State Cup Final
More than just a trophy, this final was extraordinary and earned the Game of the Year title. From the emotional moment when Ofir Engl returned from captivity to lift the cup, the strong red wall of 5,000 fans wearing Hirsch’s shirt in his memory, to the early morning cup tour on Mount Herzl among those who couldn’t witness it — it was one of the most moving trophies in club history. On the court, despite a slow start and falling behind by 9, the third quarter was a turning point. Jacori Williams and Speedy Smith ignited the team to a comeback and a 12-point lead by the quarter’s end. Hapoel held on to win in a night full of joy and remembrance. Watch the Cup video and the moving tour on Mount Herzl:
5. Season 2024/25 - EuroCup: Round 7
In early November, Hapoel arrived injured for the home game against Venezia. Austin Wiley and Justin Smith were still out, and Derek Ogbeide made his debut. Speedy Smith left the club the morning of the game, so the roster was very thin. Despite that, Ogbeide played well with 9 points and 8 rebounds, Israeli players scored 43 points together with Noam Dovrat playing his best game since returning from injury. Jeremy Morgan hit threes at great percentages, and Jared Harper exploded with 30 points. The team sailed to a resounding 94-66 victory on Italian soil. Watch the game highlights:
4. Season 2024/25 - Winner League: Round 11
Not long ago, Hapoel beat Maccabi Tel Aviv at Pais Arena. Coming off a bad patch with four losses in five games, it looked like the story was over before it began. But the team stormed the court from the first second with an 18:2 run that the yellow team never recovered from. Captain Yuval Zosman was hot with 17 points and four triples in five attempts; Jared Harper added 30 points. Hapoel hopes this win put them back on track, having since also beaten Netanya and preparing to face Aris Thessaloniki in EuroCup. Watch the highlights from the win against Maccabi Tel Aviv:
3. Season 2023/24 - State Cup Quarterfinal
In coach Yonatan Alon’s first game, after European elimination, coach firing, and five losses in seven games, the opponent arrived in good form. Zach Hankins dominated inside and Kadin Carrington scored 18 points to secure the victory and keep the title. Watch the game recap:
2. Season 2023/24 - Basketball Champions League: Top 16
Every win in the Top 16 is crucial. With six games in this stage, each can decide a season. Hapoel came as a clear underdog, especially without its fans. The team kept the defensive identity from the previous season, holding the opponent to 6 points in the first quarter, added a fantastic 30 points in the third quarter, and crushed the Spanish machine 85:61. Watch the highlights:
1. Season 2023/24 - State Cup Final
More than just a trophy, this final was extraordinary and earned the Game of the Year title. From the emotional moment when Ofir Engl returned from captivity to lift the cup, the strong red wall of 5,000 fans wearing Hirsch’s shirt in his memory, to the early morning cup tour on Mount Herzl among those who couldn’t witness it — it was one of the most moving trophies in club history. On the court, despite a slow start and falling behind by 9, the third quarter was a turning point. Jacori Williams and Speedy Smith ignited the team to a comeback and a 12-point lead by the quarter’s end. Hapoel held on to win in a night full of joy and remembrance. Watch the Cup video and the moving tour on Mount Herzl:
