Israeli Basketball Coach of the Year Winners History
The Coach of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding tactical leader in Israeli professional basketball. This honor is bestowed upon the coach who demonstrates exceptional leadership, strategic ingenuity, and the ability to maximize their team's potential over the course of a competitive season.
Since the award's inception in the 1989–90 season, the list of winners has evolved from local specialists to internationally recognized strategists, reflecting the growth and globalization of the sport within Israel.
Key Facts
- David Blatt holds the record for the most Coach of the Year awards, winning a total of four times.
- Arik Shivek is a three-time recipient of the honor.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are among the most frequent teams associated with winning coaches.
- The award history spans from the 1989–90 season through the 2025–26 season.
The Evolution of Coaching Excellence
In the early years of the award, teams like Hapoel Galil Elyon were dominant forces, with coaches such as Muli Katzurin and Pini Gershon setting the standard for excellence in the early 1990s. As the league matured, the diversity of winning teams expanded to include clubs like Maccabi Ra'anana and Beitar Ramat Gan.
The 2000s and 2010s saw the rise of legendary figures who would go on to influence basketball globally. David Blatt, in particular, established a dynasty of success, winning the award with both Hapoel Galil Elyon and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Modern Era and International Influence
Recent years have seen an increase in international coaching talent bringing their expertise to the Israeli league. Coaches like Simone Pianigiani, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, and Dimitrios Itoudis have earned the Coach of the Year title, highlighting the league's prestige on the European stage.
The current landscape continues to be competitive, with recent winners like Dan Shamir and Sharon Avrahami proving that strategic brilliance can lead various clubs to success regardless of their historical standing.
Consistency and Repeat Winners
While many coaches win the award once, a select few have achieved it multiple times. Arik Shivek's consistency is notable, having secured the award three times across different eras and teams.
Complete List of Award Winners
| Season | Coach | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–90 | Yoram Harush | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 1990–91 | Moshe Weinkrantz | Maccabi Rishon LeZion |
| 1991–92 | Muli Katzurin | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
| 1992–93 | Pini Gershon | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
| 1993–94 | Meir Kaminsky | Beitar Ramat Gan |
| 1994–95 | Hanoch Mintz | Hapoel Gvat/Yagur |
| 1995–96 | David Blatt | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
| 1996–97 | Arik Shivek | Maccabi Ra'anana |
| 1997–98 | Arik Shivek | Maccabi Ra'anana |
| 1998–99 | Effi Birnbaum | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 1999–00 | Sharon Drucker | Maccabi Ra'anana |
| 2000–01 | Erez Edelstein | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
| 2001–02 | David Blatt | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2002–03 | Ariel Beit-Halahmy | Elitzur Givat Shmuel |
| 2003–04 | Ya'akov Jino | Bnei Herzliya |
| 2004–05 | Effi Birnbaum | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| 2005–06 | Ofer Berkovich | Elitzur Givat Shmuel |
| 2006–07 | Oded Kattash | Hapoel Galil Elyon |
| 2007–08 | Miki Dorsman | Hapoel Holon |
| 2008–09 | Avi Ashkenazi | Maccabi Haifa |
| 2009–10 | Eric Alfasi | Barak Netanya |
| 2010–11 | David Blatt | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2011–12 | Ofer Berkovich | Maccabi Ashdod |
| 2012–13 | Brad Greenberg | Maccabi Haifa |
| 2013–14 | David Blatt | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2014–15 | Danny Franco | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 2015–16 | Arik Shivek | Maccabi Rishon LeZion |
| 2016–17 | Simone Pianigiani | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 2017–18 | Dan Shamir | Hapoel Holon |
| 2018–19 | Ioannis Sfairopoulos | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2019–20 | Ioannis Sfairopoulos | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| 2020–21 | Stefanos Dedas | Hapoel Holon |
| 2021–22 | Oren Aharoni | Bnei Herzliya |
| 2022–23 | Aleksandar Džikić | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 2023–24 | Sharon Avrahami | Ironi Kiryat Ata |
| 2024–25 | Dimitrios Itoudis | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| 2025–26 | Oded Kattash | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the Coach of the Year award the most times?
David Blatt holds the record for the most wins, having been named Coach of the Year four times.
Which coach has won the award three times?
Arik Shivek has received the Coach of the Year honor on three separate occasions.
Which teams have frequently had their coaches win this award?
Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Hapoel Galil Elyon are among the teams most frequently represented in the winners' list.
Are there any international coaches who have won the award?
Yes, several international coaches have won, including Simone Pianigiani, Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Aleksandar Džikić, and Dimitrios Itoudis.
Who was the first Coach of the Year winner?
The first recipient of the award was Yoram Harush of Hapoel Jerusalem for the 1989–90 season.