Maccabi Haifa will travel to the U.S. to take on two NBA teams in October. Photo: Maccabi Bazan Haifa.

Leading Israeli basketball team Maccabi Haifa will travel to the U.S. in October to take on two top-ranked NBA sides, the team announced on Thursday.

Haifa will first take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Thursday, Oct. 8, and then the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Sunday, Oct. 11. The U.S. tour will mark the fifth time in six years that Maccabi Haifa will travel to North America to play against NBA competitors.

“We are thrilled to have the Grizzlies invite us back to the great city of Memphis, and we’re looking forward to matching up against one of the most talented teams in the NBA,” said Maccabi Haifa’s owner, American businessman Jeffrey Rosen. “The Los Angeles Lakers are arguably the most prestigious team in the NBA, and bringing Maccabi Haifa to play in front of such a passionate and Israel-centric fan base only continues to grow our brand globally.”

Rosen led Maccabi Haifa to win their first Israeli League championship in the history of the franchise during the 2012-13 season. The team reached the finals in the following season.

Maccabi Haifa ranks second among international basketball teams that have played against NBA opponents. The Israeli team has gone up against a total of 10 NBA sides so far: the New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.