Tragic Accident Claims Life of Israeli Basketball Star Raz Adam
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Israeli basketball player Raz Adam, 26, tragically died in a car accident on May 21, 2026.
- Adam was traveling to a team dinner for his club, Hapoel Galil Elyon, at the time of the crash.
- The accident involved two cars, with a 39-year-old man sustaining injuries; Adam was the sole fatality.
The Israeli sports community is in mourning following the tragic death of rising basketball star Raz Adam, who was killed in a car accident on May 21, 2026. Adam, a prominent player for Hapoel Galil Elyon and a member of the Israeli national team, was only 26 years old when his life was cut short.
Reports indicate that Adam was en route to a team dinner when the collision occurred. The accident, involving two vehicles, resulted in Adam's death, while a 39-year-old man sustained injuries. The news has sent shockwaves through the nation, casting a somber shadow over the sport.
Ari Steinberg, president of the Israeli Basketball Association, expressed profound shock and sorrow, stating, "We received the news of Raz Adam's death and were left shocked and deeply saddened. This is a sad day for Israeli basketball. On behalf of the league, I want to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and Hapoel."
Adam had a promising career, achieving significant success with Israel's youth national teams, including winning two European Championships for U20 players alongside notable teammates like Deni Avdija. He also represented the senior national team and played for several clubs throughout his career, including Elitzur Ironi Netanya, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ironi Nes Zionu, and Ironi Kiryat Atu. His loss is deeply felt by teammates, coaches, and fans alike, marking a tragic end to a bright future.
We received the news of Raz Adam's death and were left shocked and deeply saddened. This is a sad day for Israeli basketball. On behalf of the league, I want to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and Hapoel.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.