Miki Berkovich's illness revealed: Basketball legend suffers from dementia

Miki Berkovich, Israel's greatest basketball player, has been battling dementia for the past two years. This was revealed on Monday in the documentary "Miki Berkovich's Secret," which aired on Keshet 12, led by journalist Niv Raskin. The film addresses Berkovich's disappearance from the public eye and the reality his family is currently facing.

Participating in the film were his wife Sheli, his children Roi, Adi, and Niv, as well as his close friends and former Maccabi Tel Aviv teammates Motti Aroesti and Tal Brody. Additionally, legendary broadcaster Yoram Arbel was interviewed. Niv Raskin stated that for a long time, the family tried to maintain Berkovich's privacy and avoid addressing rumors. According to Raskin, after lengthy conversations, the family decided to open their doors to the film crew to share the truth about his condition.

His family shared that the first signs of the illness manifested as vision problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. About two years ago, for his 70th birthday, the family surprised him with a trip to New York. Berkovich believed he was flying alone with his wife Sheli, and was surprised to find his children waiting for him upon arrival.

His son recounted that it was there, in New York, that the suspicious signs became evident, as his father did not recognize his location and believed he was on Dizengoff Street. Upon returning to Israel, the family began examinations with top specialists until the diagnosis was confirmed.

Berkovich, 72, has been one of the most prominent figures in Israeli sports for decades. He won two European Champions Cups, 16 league championships, and 13 State Cups with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and was a member of the Israeli national team that won the silver medal at the 1979 European Championship. In 2024, he received the Israel Prize for his outstanding contributions to sports.