Ahead of training camp: basketball imports begin arriving in Israel

Basketball Super League team practices are set to officially begin next week. Last night, the first import of the 2026/27 season, Maccabi Ashdod's Nigerian center Qudus Wahab, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport.

Upon his arrival, Wahab stated:

"I am very happy to be here. I am already looking forward to meeting my teammates and starting to work. I have followed the league in Israel and I know it is a good league."

Addressing the Maccabi Ashdod fans, he said: "We will arrive ready for every game to give our best. I am already waiting to meet you on the court."

Wahab (26, 2.11m) moved to the United States from Nigeria at age 15. After high school, he joined Georgetown, where he played under Patrick Ewing. In his second season with the Hoyas, he impressed with 12.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, but surprised many by transferring to Maryland at the end of the season. After one year, he returned to Georgetown before finishing his college career at Penn State, where he recorded 10 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

In the summer of 2024, he moved to Europe and signed with the Greek team Lavrio. In the Greek first division, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and led the league with 1.1 blocks per game. Last year, he played for the French team Cholet, including in the BCL, where he recorded 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in European competition.