Miki Berkovich, an 80‑year‑old former basketball star, has been quietly grappling with a serious medical condition for more than two years, keeping him out of the public eye while his legacy endures.
A career that reshaped Israeli basketball
Born in Kfar Saba in 1954, he entered Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth system at age 11 and made his senior debut at 17, later anchoring the team’s historic 1977 European Cup victory and contributing to Israel’s second‑place finish at the 1979 European Championship.
His leadership was epitomized in a memorable game against CSKA Moscow on his birthday, a moment that cemented his status as a team‑building icon. Shimon Mizrahi, chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv, has described Berkovich as an exemplary athlete whose influence extended beyond the court.
Family, honors and the weight of silence
In recent years, signs of his illness emerged only subtly, while his outward appearance remained unchanged. The support network around him includes his wife, Shelly Berkovich, longtime friends Tal Brody and Motti Aroesti, and former teammate Doron Jamchi, who has spoken of their conversations focusing on family rather than sport.
The quiet battle has been underscored by the recent award of Israel’s highest civilian honor, the Israel Prize, which was bestowed upon Berkovich in 2024. His family has chosen not to comment publicly, reflecting the deep emotional strain that the condition has placed on those closest to him.
Through decades of triumphs and now a private struggle, Berkovich’s legacy endures as a benchmark for dedication, preparation, and the profound impact one individual can have on a generation of Israeli players.