West Virginia freshman Naveh impresses in debut

West Virginia took a leap of faith when they added Ofri Naveh, a talented Israeli forward, to their roster. Standing at 6-foot-7, Naveh played for Maccabi Tel Aviv U18 and caught the attention of West Virginia assistant Da’Sean Butler, who had connections in Israel from his playing career. Despite having limited information, the Mountaineers decided to evaluate Naveh solely based on his film.

Given the roster turnover, West Virginia needed to find talented options late in the process, and Naveh fit the bill. Head coach Josh Eilert initially had doubts about Naveh’s effectiveness due to his frame, but he quickly proved himself in practice with his active playstyle and high basketball IQ.

Naveh’s skills were on full display during a charity exhibition against George Mason, where he scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and only committed a single turnover in 27 minutes of play. He even impressed with a highlight reel dunk over a defender, showcasing his athleticism.

Eilert praised Naveh’s basketball IQ and work ethic, despite the language barrier. Forward Quin Slazinski noticed Naveh’s growth and comfort with his role, exemplified by a behind-the-back skip pass that typically takes college players years to learn. Slazinski believes Naveh has a bright future and has the potential to consistently perform at a high level.

Naveh’s unorthodox playing style, coupled with his team-first attitude, makes him a tough player to guard. The senior forward is excited about Naveh’s potential, and it remains to be seen how his role will evolve on the team. However, if his debut is any indication, Naveh will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills.

Senior center Jesse Edwards envisions a bright future for Naveh, stating, “His future is really bright.”