Mickey Berkowitz, a 6-foot 4-inch guard from Kfar Saba, Israel, is considered the greatest Israeli basketball player of all time.

Mickey began his long and distinguished career with Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel’s top basketball League at the age of 11 when he joined the youth club. At the age of 15 he was playing for the junior squad. In 1971, at the age of 17, he made his debut with the senior team.

As a youth, Mickey’s game was speed. He was always the first one down court on the fast break, and usually the one in position for the finishing lay-up. He was also an excellent defender, with quick hands to match his quick feet. It was not unusual for Mickey to both start and finish a fast break.

Even in the early stages of his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he showed signs of being a crowd pleaser.

As he grew older, his body matured, and he turned from a willowy kid to a muscular man. A workout fanatic, there was hardly an ounce of fat on him. And with the bulk came a confidence to go the basket, American style, hell-for-leather. The speed was still there, in abundance, but now Mickey added the power-drive to his repertoire.