Representing Israel Proudly, Ben Saraf Looks to Build on Promising Rookie Season in Brooklyn

For Ben Saraf, the most powerful moment of his first NBA season came when three Israelis shared the court in front of Jewish fans.

“I think the most exciting and emotional moment was the game where there were three Israelis playing together on the same court with all the Jewish fans in attendance. It was so much bigger than basketball. That was definitely the most powerful moment of my season,” Saraf told The Jerusalem Post.

The 20-year-old Brooklyn Nets guard played 44 games in his rookie campaign, starting 11, and averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game. After developing in Europe with Ulm, and previously playing for teams in Netanya and Kiryat Ata, he joined the NBA after being selected in the 2025 draft.

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I think the most exciting and emotional moment was the game where there were three Israelis playing together on the same court with all the Jewish fans in attendance. It was so much bigger than basketball. That was definitely the most powerful moment of my season.

Saraf returned to Israel for an event hosted by YouTuber and sports analyst Pini Barel with Foot Locker at Cinema City in Rishon LeZion. Hundreds of fans heard him discuss life in the NBA and met one of Israel’s emerging basketball stars.

“It’s so much fun meeting the Israeli fans,” Saraf said. “We haven’t really had events like this in Israel before, so it’s something special for the basketball culture here. I’m having a great time, and it’s amazing to see people wearing my jersey. That’s really exciting. I hadn’t been back to Israel for quite a while, so it’s always great to come home.”

Saraf’s rise follows Deni Avdija’s emergence as a star with the Portland Trail Blazers and his selection to the NBA All-Star Game. Saraf now plays alongside fellow Israeli Danny Wolf in Brooklyn and competes in the same league as Avdija. Living in New York has also brought him closer to the world’s largest Jewish community outside Israel, including through Friday night dinners and meetings with Israelis and Jews involved in gap-year programs or volunteer work.

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It’s so much fun meeting the Israeli fans. We haven’t really had events like this in Israel before, so it’s something special for the basketball culture here. I’m having a great time, and it’s amazing to see people wearing my jersey. That’s really exciting. I hadn’t been back to Israel for quite a while, so it’s always great to come home.