Former Israeli basketball player Mickey Berkowitz waves to the crowd during a pre-game introduction. Photo: YouTube screenshot.

JNS.org – Mickey Berkowitz on Wednesday became the first Israeli basketball player to be selected for induction into the sport’s international hall of fame.

Berkowitz will be inducted into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Fame during a Sept. 30 ceremony in Geneva.

Widely considered the greatest basketball player in Israel’s history, Berkowitz won 16 Israeli league championships while playing for the Maccabi Tel Aviv franchise. He also led the Jewish state’s national team to second place at the 1979 European Championships.

Joining Berkowitz in this year’s FIBA Hall of Fame class are Shaquille O’Neal of the US, Toni Kukoc of Croatia, Rajiza Mujanovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pero Cameron of New Zealand and Valdis Valters of Latvia. Serbian coach Dusan Ivkovic will also be inducted.