A Rising Star in Lithuanian Shadows
Maya Zilbershlag, an 18‑year‑old forward from Israel, is gearing up for the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship in Lithuania, a tournament that will test the mettle of the nation’s most promising talent.
Having burst onto the scene with Maccabi Bnot Ashdod in the Israel Women’s Premier League, she averaged 9.3 points in nearly 29 minutes per game last season and topped the U18 tournament with 18.4 points per game, signaling a rare blend of scoring prowess and court vision.
A setback arrived early in the Lithuanian campaign when an ankle injury forced her out of the opening game, but the resilient teenager returned to score 16 points in a memorable victory over France, underscoring her determination.
Off the court, Zilbershlag is set to embark on a new chapter at Purdue University in the United States, a move that could open doors to the WNBA and further cement her status as a trailblazer for Israeli women’s basketball.
Within the national squad, she is regarded as a major leader alongside fellow standout Gal Raviv, a partnership that coaches believe will shape the team’s chemistry as they aim for a perfect qualifying run.
Looking Ahead
Zilbershlag’s optimism about the trajectory of women’s basketball in Israel is matched by her ambition to translate domestic success into a professional future abroad, a path she hopes will inspire the next generation of Israeli athletes.