A Tournament to Remember
Gal Raviv, a point guard for the University of Miami women’s basketball team, arrived in Lithuania as a transfer prospect but quickly became the tournament’s defining force. She posted an average of 28.1 points per game, a scoring rate that placed her at the top of the leaderboard and helped Israel navigate a challenging knockout bracket.
Her efficiency rating of 30.1 set a new historical benchmark, reflecting a combination of shooting accuracy, playmaking and defensive impact that left analysts comparing her to veteran internationals. In a standout performance against Poland, Raviv poured in 37 points, a single‑game high that underscored her ability to dominate under pressure.
Israel’s unexpected march to the championship game culminated in a 79‑66 loss to France, but the achievement marked the nation’s first ever appearance in a U20 final. The narrow defeat did not diminish the significance of Raviv’s contribution, which was highlighted by her selection to the All‑Star Five, an honor reserved for the competition’s most influential players.
Raviv’s accolades extend beyond the tournament. She was previously named Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2025, and she earned Israel’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award in 2021. After transferring to Miami in April 2025, she now has three years of eligibility remaining, positioning her for continued growth on the collegiate stage.
Her international résumé also includes stints with the Israeli senior squad and a fourth‑place finish as a leading scorer at the Under‑18 Women’s EuroBasket in Porto, Portugal. Coached by Tricia Cullop and alongside teammates such as Sarah Cisse, Ines Pitarch‑Granel, Ines Soleto, Daniele Paunksnyte, Raviv’s trajectory reflects a blend of collegiate ambition and national pride.