Miki Berkovich is ill with a complex medical condition: The secret of the basketball legend

Miki Berkovich, one of the greatest basketball players in Israel's history and the symbol identified with Maccabi Tel Aviv, has been dealing with a complex medical problem for the past two and a half years. This was published this evening on Ynet. Berkovich, 72, has rarely appeared in public in recent years and is receiving support from his wife Sheli, his family members, his close friends, and the people of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

According to the chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Shimon Mizrahi, the signs of the illness appeared about two years ago. Mizrahi said that despite his condition, it was not noticeable in Berkovich's external appearance. According to him, he saw him during this period when he went for walks with his close friends Tal Brody and Moti Aroasti.

"First of all, Miki is an exemplary athlete through and through. He is a true winner," said Mizrahi.

He added that it was "very sad" to discover about two years ago that signs of the illness had appeared in Berkovich.

One of Berkovich's last public appearances was in 2024, when he received the Israel Prize in the field of outstanding athletes. The Ministry of Education approved his winning of the Israel Prize for the year 2024.

Against the background of the publication about Berkovich's medical condition, a documentary investigation dealing with his condition and the last years of his life is expected to be broadcast tomorrow on Keshet 12. Journalist Amnon Rabi published a post today in which he told about the work on the investigation and the decision of the Berkovich family to put an end to the rumors that have spread around his condition.

"For two years, various rumors have been swirling around the condition of Miki Berkovich, one of Israel's greatest athletes of all time," wrote Rabi. According to him, "The Berkovich family decided to put an end to the rumors and bring the truth to light."

Rabi said that Sheli Berkovich responded to Niv Raskin's request and placed her trust in him, and that Raskin went on a documentary journey intended to deal with the question of what happened to Miki Berkovich. The investigation, according to him, was done "hand in hand with the Berkovich family" with the goal of bringing the story with sensitivity and honesty.

The investigation is titled "The Secret of Miki Berkovich," and it is expected to be broadcast tomorrow on Keshet 12. Rabi also noted in the post the staff members who took part in the production, including Nir Neuman, Asaf Ofir, Roni Oren, and others.

Berkovich was born in 1954 in Kfar Saba. At the age of 11, he joined the children's department of Maccabi Tel Aviv, and at the age of 17, he moved up to the senior team. During his career at Maccabi Tel Aviv, he was a partner in winning two European Champions Cups, 16 championships, and 13 State Cups.

One of the greatest moments in his career came in 1977, when Maccabi Tel Aviv won the European Cup for the first time. On the way to the final, the team defeated CSKA Moscow, and later in the final, they overcame Mobilgirgi Varese and won the historic title.

In 1979, Berkovich led the Israeli national team to win the silver medal at the European Championship in Turin, an achievement that is one of the greatest in the history of Israeli basketball. Later, he was also a partner in the second win of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the European Cup, in 1981.

Berkovich retired from basketball in 1995, after a career that lasted about 24 years. Over the years, he has won a long line of titles and honors, including the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Israel Prize.