Purdue Basketball: Israel Reportedly Decides on FIBA U19 World Cup Participation
The Israel U19 men's basketball team is headed to Switzerland for the 2025 FIBA World Cup. Although the country remains at war with Iran, it was reported by Sports Rabbi on Friday that the team received permission to travel for the event. Incoming Purdue guard Omer Mayer is a member of the team.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Israel U19 team may withdraw from the event because of travel concerns. However, the team and other athletes received approval to leave the country and participate in the FIBA U19 World Cup, scheduled for June 28 through July 6.
"A joint move by the Ministry of Sports, the Olympic Committee, the umbrella organizations, sports associations, the Unit for Competitive Sports, and El Al Airlines has created an arrangement that allows sports delegations and athletes to immediately represent Israel around the world," Joshua Halickman wrote.
No official confirmation yet, but @BasketNews_lt reports that ๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel will be dropping out of FIBA U19 World Cup and will be getting replaced by ๐ฑ๐น Lithuania.
โ Rob Karaznevic (@dogtheballer) June 16, 2025
Mayer is one of 12 members of the Israel U19 team. He has not yet practiced at Purdue, instead preparing for this event before traveling to West Lafayette for summer and fall practices.
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โ ืขืืืชืช ืืคืืขื ืืืกืืฉืงืื ืชื ืืืื (@HapoelUssishkin) June 20, 2025
Mayer was ranked as a top 50 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class by On3, earning a four-star rating. The 6-foot-4 guard brings plenty of experience to Purdue, having played in the EuroLeague with former Boilermaker big man Trevion Williams for Tel Aviv Maccabi.
Mayer is one of two Purdue basketball players participating in the FIBA U19 World Cup. Center Daniel Jacobsen made the 12-man roster with USA Basketball and will also be headed to Switzerland for the event.
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Dustin Schutte is the publisher of ''Purdue Boilermakers on SI.'' He has more than a decade of experience covering the Big Ten. Follow Dustin on X at @SchutteDustin.