After four days of sightseeing around Israel, on Monday it was finally time to play basketball! Although it was an exhibition friendly game against the Israel Select team, it was still the first time that Arizona fans could get a glimpse of the 2023-24 Wildcats.
Before the game, the team got its first taste of a gameday routine by heading to the Hadar Yosef Arena for shootaround. It was a chance for the newcomers to go through a new pregame routine and get ready for a game.
Following shootaround, the team joined Kansas State for a presentation from StartUp Nation that was sponsored by Athletes for Israel. The presentations were made by various companies in Israel that got their start here and they spoke about how their country has a long history of innovation. For the size of the country, the amount of startups that come from Israel ranks near the top around the globe.
For lunch, the team spent some time in the Carmel Market, the largest market in Israel. With vendors selling many different fruits, vegetables, meats, drinks, clothing, sunglasses, housewares and phone cases, there was something for everyone. Many of the streets of the market were crowded and difficult to pass through, but each student-athlete and member of the travel party came away having enjoyed the experience.
After pregame meal, the group boarded the busses and headed to Hadar Yosef Arena to take on the Israel Select team coached by former Cal men's basketball player Amit Tamir. With approximately 500 fans in attendance, some even donning Arizona shirts and making signs of support for the Wildcats, it was a great atmosphere for Arizona to grow as a team.
In the first quarter, freshman Paulius Murauskas came off the bench to drop 10 points and help Arizona take a 25-17 lead after the first 10 minutes.
The Wildcats methodically increased its lead in the second quarter to take a 52-35 lead into the halftime locker room. The highlights of the second quarter included a plethora of Keshad Johnson thunder slams in the halfcourt and in transition.
The depth of Arizona was on display in the second half as the Wildcats outscored Israel Select, 72-42 in the final 20 minutes.
The final stat sheet showed Keshad Johnson leading the way with 24 points on 11 of 14 shooting to with eight rebounds in 18 minutes. Murauskas finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Joining them in double figures were Filip Borovicanin (13), Kylan Boswell (12), Motiejus Krivas (12) and Dylan Anderson (11).
As a team, Arizona shot 58.3% from the floor and had 33 assists on 49 made field goals. Perhaps most impressive was just 10 turnovers for the first time playing together in a competitive setting.
When the game clock hit all zeros, the kids from the stands flooded the floor to take photos and get autographs with Arizona players and coaches and the Wildcats happily obliged. It was a fitting end to a stay in Israel that was nothing short of spectacular.
Please check @ArizonaMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or online at arizonawildcats.com/SummerTour for the most up-to-date content from the trip including how to watch each of the two remaining scheduled games.
