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Lior EliyahuIsraeli basketball player
Date of Birth: 09.09.1985
Country:  Israel |
Content:
- Biography of Lior Eliyahu
- NBA Draft and Career in Israel
- Success with Maccabi Elite and International Achievements
- Return to Israel and National Team
Biography of Lior Eliyahu
Early Life and Basketball CareerLior Eliyahu, born on September 9, 1985, in Ramat Gan, Israel, is a professional basketball player from Israel. He developed a love for basketball from a young age and stood out among his peers with his exceptional skills. Encouraged by his parents, Eliyahu joined the youth team of Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan and showed great promise. Eventually, he transitioned to Hapoel Gilboa Galil, where he trained under the renowned coach and former professional basketball player Oded Kattash. During his time at Hapoel, Eliyahu's game improved significantly, and he became a leader in his team, consistently scoring double-digit points and making impressive steals.
NBA Draft and Career in Israel
Motivated by his success, Eliyahu decided to try his luck in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and submitted his application for the 2006 NBA Draft. However, this decision stirred controversy in Israel, where the attitude towards players seeking careers in America remained negative. Nonetheless, Eliyahu's performances in pre-draft training camps in Europe caught the attention of American scouts, who were impressed by his skills. On June 28, 2006, he was selected by the Orlando Magic as the 44th overall pick. Although this news made headlines in Israeli newspapers, Eliyahu never played a game for the team as he was traded to the Houston Rockets due to financial issues in Orlando. Unfortunately, his career in the NBA did not take off, and he was offered a contract by Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv, the leading club in Israel.
Success with Maccabi Elite and International Achievements
Playing as a power forward for Maccabi Elite, Eliyahu fulfilled his potential and solidified his position as one of the top players in the league. He won two national championships with the team in 2007 and 2009. Notably, Eliyahu's performances in the Euroleague earned him recognition as the league's Most Valuable Player in 2008, averaging 14 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In the 2007-2008 season, he helped Maccabi Elite reach the Euroleague finals, although they were defeated by CSKA Moscow. In 2009, Eliyahu joined the Spanish club Caja Laboral, signing a four-year contract worth 6 million euros. As the team's star player, he led them to the top of the Spanish League and a victory in the finals against Barcelona, the reigning Euroleague champions.
Return to Israel and National Team
After two years, Eliyahu's relationship with the team and coaching staff deteriorated, and his contract was terminated. In September 2010, he returned to his hometown team in Tel Aviv, signing a new five-year contract. Eliyahu also represents the Israeli national team as a power forward. In 2004, the team won a silver medal in the European Youth Championship, and the following year, they finished in fourth place. Eliyahu continues to be a key player in the national team, participating in European and global championships.
