In Memoriam: Basketball world lost Lior Lubin

One of the best coaches to be in Delasport Balkan League ever - Lior Lubin - has passed away.

At the young age of 46, he was defeated by a serious illness, which he had been dealing with for the last few years, leaving behind a wife, a son, and two daughters.

Lubin last coached Hapoel Beer Sheva, winning Balkan League trophy in 2023.

Lubin, who was born in 1977, began his playing career with Maccabi Ramat Gan and moved up from the youth department to the senior team as one of the up-and-coming stars of the club. He also attended Blich High School where he led the team to the 1995 championship and was named as the league’s MVP while also leading the team to 3rd place in the World School Championship.

After five seasons with Ramat Gan, the guard moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv for a season which was followed up by a year with Hapoel Tel Aviv before embarking on a European career until 2007. Lubin also was a stalwart with the Israel National Team making 66 appearances and was named as an assistant on Erez Edelstein’s staff in 2014.

Lubin began his second career as a coach in 2008 where he worked as Oded Katash’s assistant while winning the Israeli league title in 2010 with Hapoel Gilboa Galil over Maccabi Tel Aviv before taking over the reins himself through 2013. From there Lubin also led Hapoel Holon, Maccabi Ashdod, Ness Ziona, Hapoel Beer Sheva, and Gilboa Galil once again where he took the team to the 2020 Finals and lost in a decisive third game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Lubin also served as an assistant with Maccabi Tel Aviv and in 2021 with Panathinaikos in Greece where he was part of the club that won the Greek State Cup and the league championship together with Katash.

Everyone in Delasport Balkan League is devastated by this loss of not only an excellent basketball coach and extraordinary player, but a fantastic personality, quiet, and a true professional who took his teams to the highest of heights.

May your soul rest in peace, Mr. Lubin.

Deepest condolences from all of us in Delasport Balkan League.