Israel appoints Neno Ginzburg as men’s basketball coach

The Israel Basketball Association has appointed Ronen “Neno” Ginzburg as the next head coach of its men’s national team, Eurohoops said. Ginzburg will take over from Ariel Beit-Halahmy in July 2027 after signing a 2-year contract.

Beit-Halahmy, who became coach in March 2023, asked to leave after the World Cup qualifying campaign during a meeting with association chairman Amos Frishman. Channel 14 reported on 22 October that the association was in advanced negotiations with Ginzburg as a replacement. He said he had decided after considerable reflection that 4 years was long enough in the role.

Israel had already lost its chance to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, Channel 14 said on 22 October. Its remaining games against Latvia and the Netherlands cannot change that outcome. Beit-Halahmy will oversee the final 2 qualifying windows, with the campaign ending in February 2027.

Experience behind the appointment

Ginzburg coached Czechia from 2013 to 2023, leading the team to seventh place at EuroBasket 2015, sixth at the 2019 World Cup and a place at the Tokyo Olympics. He also won 5 Czech league titles with Nymburk and led Prometey to the EuroCup semifinals in 2023.

Association chairman Amos Frishman said Ginzburg’s knowledge and experience, particularly with national teams, would benefit Israel. Frishman said the association’s professional committee had unanimously supported the appointment.

Ginzburg said coaching Israel had been his greatest ambition since he began his coaching career. He described the offer as a great honor and a wonderful opportunity to fulfill a dream. His first assignment after taking charge will be the Olympic pre-qualifiers in August 2027. Frishman said Beit-Halahmy would remain professional director of Israel’s youth national teams.