Hapoel Tel Aviv Climbs to Fourth in EuroLeague Power Rankings

After seven rounds of the EuroLeague regular season, the latest power rankings by BasketNews highlight starkly contrasting trajectories for Israel's two representative clubs.

Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to cement its status as one of the tournament's most compelling teams, climbing from sixth to fourth place in the rankings. Conversely, Maccabi Tel Aviv slipped from 13th to 15th place, reflecting a growing chasm between the two sides early in the campaign.

Hapoel Ascends into the Top Four

Analysts praised Hapoel's continuity, noting that the team is successfully building upon the solid foundation established last year. Elijah Bryant received high individual praise, with experts naming him an early candidate for the EuroLeague MVP award. Amir Coffey was also highlighted for seamlessly adapting to his first professional season outside of the United States.

With this surge, Hapoel surpasses traditional European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Partizan Belgrade, and Žalgiris Kaunas. Panathinaikos leads the rankings, followed by Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos, rounding out the top three ahead of Hapoel.

Maccabi Struggles to Find Rhythm

Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv faces mounting pressure after securing only two victories in their opening seven matches. Analysts pointed to ongoing roster cohesion issues as a primary factor behind the yellow-and-blue squad's disappointing start.

Keaton Wallace, heralded as one of the club's marquee summer acquisitions, has particularly struggled to find his footing. Experts noted his modest averages of 4.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over eight appearances, underscoring the team's broader offensive challenges.

Wider EuroLeague Landscape

The power rankings illustrate shifting expectations across the continent. While Hapoel exceeds pre-season projections, Maccabi continues to slide, currently sitting behind Beşiktaş and Virtus Bologna as the grueling European schedule moves forward.