Miki Berkovich, Israeli basketball legend, faces serious health battle
Israeli basketball legend Miki Berkovich is reportedly facing a serious, long-term health battle. The 72-year-old icon, known for his historic contributions to Maccabi Tel Aviv, has been supported by family and former teammates during his illness.
Why it matters
Berkovich is a cultural icon in Israel, and his health status has drawn significant public attention and well-wishes from the sports community.
Miki Berkovich, one of the greatest athletes in Israeli history and an enduring symbol of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball, has been dealing with a complex medical condition for the past two and a half years. In recent days, social media has been flooded with rumors about the condition of the 72-year-old former star, who has made few public appearances in recent years. Throughout the period, he has been supported closely by his wife, Shelly Berkovich, as well as longtime friends including former basketball stars Tal Brody and Motti Aroesti and members of Maccabi Tel Aviv. One of Berkovich’s most recent major public appearances came in 2024, when he received the Israel Prize, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. Born in Kfar Saba in 1954, Berkovich joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth system at age 11 and made his senior-team debut at 17.
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