"No one played stronger than Doron's silk" Israel today

Shai Doron (36) is one of the greatest Israeli basketball players of all time, and some would say the greatest of them.

In 2007, she became the first - and only so far - player to play in the WNBA, when she was selected by New York Liberty in 16th place in the draft.

In the past, she played for Elitzur Ramla, with which she won the EuroCup, as well as Maccabi Ramat Hen, Maccabi Banot Ashdod, Elitzur Holon and Europe - in Turkey and Romania.

Doron starred for years in a uniform for the Israeli national team.

She has recently started working in a venture capital fund that invests in startups.

- When did you realize it was over?

"For several years now I feel it is not the same. I started to focus on working and learning at the same time. This year I already knew I would not play, even though they tried to convince me. I realized I did not have the physical and mental ability."

-First memory from basketball?

"Age 8. I play with my sister on my grandfather's kibbutz. There was a shelter where they hung a basket with a wooden board, we would spend days there."

Shai Doron.

New Investment Fund, Photo: Liron Moldovan

-Who are the actresses that are good at playing with you?

"There are three of them. Candice Parker, Sue Hail and Tina Thompson."

- The most delusional story in your career?

"In Romania I would take the dog out for a walk, and the neighbor took out a goat. There was no heating in the hall, even during the period with minus 35 outside. Only when they signed Tina Thompson did they buy stoves and scatter in the hall. It was crazy."

- Which is bigger for you, your first game in the WNBA or winning the EuroCup?

"Coming to the WNBA, because it was the big dream. Team-wise, of course, winning the EuroCup. It's a crazy achievement."

Shai Doron.

A particularly glorious career, Photo: Oded Karni

-When will we see another Israeli actress there?

"I hope as soon as possible. If it does not happen fast, it means our women's basketball is not in good shape."

- What would you change in your career?

"I would not change anything. Everything I did helped me and improved me."

- Who do you owe the most to?

"To my parents and family. Without them, Shai Doron would not have succeeded."

- The biggest game in the team.

"Team-wise, the promotion to the European Championship against Great Britain in Zisman was a lot of crowds and a crazy atmosphere. Another game I especially remember is the away win over Germany in the EuroBasket 2015 qualifiers, when we all came back we felt we had done something special. That our grandparents went through what they went through. "

Shai Doron.

"I would like to own a team," Photo: Udi Citiat

- What do you think about women's basketball in Israel today?

"Really bass. There is no audience, no budgets, and now they have also reduced budgets in the youth. How can you succeed like this? I know it is possible otherwise, I was part of it. I miss those years."

- Will you continue playing basketball?

"Looks like. I'd like to own a team, if I could."

- How do you want to be remembered?

"Let them say that no one played harder than Meshi Doron. Even when I did not play well, everyone knew that I gave 200 percent and that after games I could not stand on my feet. Even after bad games I could go home with my head held high."

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