When Goni Yizraeli finished last season he did not think of retiring and was sure he would continue to play at least one more season.
Then one day Oren Amiel called him and asked if he would like to join the new professional team built at Hapoel Jerusalem.
For several weeks he debated hard with himself, consulted with the family and eventually made the decision to hang up his shoes after 19 years as a professional player and be appointed assistant coach in the capital.
"I have not yet digested that I retired," Jezreeli says in an exclusive retirement interview with Israel Today, and the excitement is heard in his voice, "It was hard to say goodbye to the game and there were two or three weeks of process with myself and many tears. I can not believe I broke up with the game, from playing pick-and-roll, directing people, feeling the crowd. Winning, shouting and roaring. There is not a day that I do not miss it. But the body said its thing. "
"I wanted to continue for another season, but physically with the injuries it was very difficult," he continues, "as soon as I started talking to Oren and saw that things were going positive and then another day and another day and slowly digesting. I know Oren for many years and always loved talking to him about basketball and learning. So when an offer came from him I seriously considered it. If there was no offer from Jerusalem I might still be playing. I did not even write on Facebook that I retired because I say maybe I will come back. Basketball is my whole life. So I told him I would take a break for one year and come back. "
In the Holon uniform.
"My life would have been easier if I had moderated," Udi quoted
"My behavior is not from a bad place"
Izraeli (36), from Kibbutz Gvat, married to Nofar and the father of two children, and is now building a house on the kibbutz.
In recent weeks he has moved to an apartment rented for him by the group in Jerusalem and lives there alone, because it is difficult to move the family ("The year of sacrifice we called it, I could not refuse such an offer, because this is the career I want").
He is one of the most passionate players in Israeli basketball in the last 20 years.
On the one hand, a very successful decade (2007-2017) in which he was selected for the discovery of the season and the king of assists of the season already in his first year in the Premier League, two championships with Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Gilboa / Galil and great dominance.
On the other hand, the same passion led him to clash with coaches, teammates and quite a few discipline issues.
I especially remember a timeout he passed in place of Avishai Gordon at Hapoel Galil Elyon.
"There are things I haven't talked about for years and now is the time," he says. A certain player is getting to a big place so I'll do anything to make it happen.Tucker and Simmons in Holon, Randall and Fargo I was on his ear all day.Sometimes it looks bad to the audience and can lead to friction, but it's out of place to help. Ask everyone. "
Passing a time-out instead of the coach does not infringe on his authority?
"I admit that sometimes such things did not fit. There were coaches who gave me and there were those who did not. And if they did not give me, then because of my character there were situations that it was not at the right timing and because of friction. Today as a coach I think when you have players you should give them "The stage, but of course you have to know how to moderate them. I didn't always know how to moderate them and that sometimes caused problems. My life could have been easier if I had moderated, but when you are young and insane you don't stop."
Are you satisfied with the career you had?
"I'm not jumping, not scoring, not fast, not strong, but my teams were successful, we reached the Purim final and won two championships and most importantly, I felt dominant in my teams. Players listened to me as both young and old and I was significant in the locker room so I could not ask for more. When I look back I would like a team, maybe to go abroad, but in the end I look and I had a crazy career. "
Photo: Udi Citation,
Did it bother you that you were not invited to the team even in your peak years?
"Look, there were a lot of good players in my positions then - Halperin, Lemond, Tapiro, Stick, Ohayon and it was missed. It bothered me because I'm very competitive, but it's also an incentive. I always tell young players that things like that should spur you to the right places. "In the reserve with Eric Shibek I was last seen before the championship and in the end they won a silver medal. It spurred me on throughout my career when I played against these players, it's something I will never forget."
Have you had opportunities to go abroad?
"There was talk before I signed in Jerusalem or after I was the discovery of the season in Afula, but I had good offers in Israel so I stayed. In retrospect of course I had to leave and if that happened today I would obviously go. I would love to complete it and work as a coach abroad.
I talk a lot with Oren, he did crazy years in Europe and when he tells about Nymburk I stop everything and listen. "
What would you say today to Goni Yizraeli, the boy who started playing basketball?
"I would tell him a lot. I would say he does the right way and it's good that he dares to dream because the talent was not great and I worked hard. I would probably tell him to take things more easily."
"Every team needs its 'shade'"
Already as a player, Jezreeli was a kind of coach on the field, and in recent years he knew that this would be his next career.
During the "Corona season" he served as an assistant coach at Hapoel Holon and this season will be his first full season as an assistant coach at Hapoel Jerusalem.
Don't you think you should start from the bottom and train first in your youth?
"In general you are right, but today in our world there are shortcuts, and I do not know if it is good or bad. I work hard 24 hours, personally coach the players, be on the field for hours, watch a lot of video. I am a student of the game and can not say What's right and what's not. Let's see where the road leads me. Coming and learning from someone like Oren is good and I'm sure it will take me to good places, and I also have a huge opportunity to see inside how a big and professional club like Hapoel Jerusalem works with participation in Europe and working with foreigners at levels "You do not refuse such an opportunity."
Photo: Udi Citation,
What kind of coach are you going to be?
"I'm vocal, it's clear. Speaks and directs and likes to control the game, but not too much - I still have to work on it - coach of players, Effie Birnbaum like that. To be both a coach and a kind of their friend. The personal connections and the players' knowledge that the coach will help them Everything you need helps you and the group. "
What would you do if you had players like you?
"I'd be happy, I like smart and loud players. To say I would like three like me? Obviously not (he laughs, YM), but I unequivocally think every team needs that 'shade'.
I hope I can give them the stage when needed, when yes and when no. "
This year he will coach Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the draft who has so far failed in his career. What's the first thing you tell him?
"First of all I will ask him what it is like to be selected 1st place in the draft, I was always curious how things work there and how things go in front of the stars. Anthony has a lot to prove and get back on stage and Jerusalem gave it to him. I will do anything to make it happen. You hear the noises around and know that there is hard work for both sides. "
What do you think of the group you built?
"Everyone says what signings you made, but I was anxious and know there is a lot of work to get it connected. There is not much time because October season is already starting. There is great potential, but the business needs to connect. Come to me in February and I will not be ashamed to tell you what the goals are."
Finally, will Goni the coach win the championship?
"I wish I still did not dare to dream about it."
Hapoel Jerusalem players.
"A lot of work to make it connect," Oren Ben Hakon
