Men’s Basketball 2025-26 Roster Preview

After an exciting campaign last season that ended with a Skyline Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, the Macs will look for a repeat in the final year for many of the key players on the team. The Macs lost some significant pieces from last year as Effy Freundlich, Luke Cronin, Jonathan Levy, and Ezra Sicklick are no longer with the team. However, Coach Steinmetz will look to fill the void with some promising new pieces.

New Players:

#2 Joe Schanzer: Joe is a 6-3 guard coming to YU after spending last year at St. Thomas More. The White Plains, NY, native is a good shooter with an excellent scoring touch. His 6-3 frame allows him to be a plus defender at the guard position. A high-IQ player, Schanzer has the potential to make an impact in year one as he continues to grow his game. 

#11 Yair Dovrat: Yair Dovrat is a 6-7 guard with a chance to make an immediate impact. Hailing from Rishon Letziyon, Israel, Dovrat's size and skill set allow him to be utilized in different spots throughout the lineup. He is a great scorer and possesses a high basketball IQ. Look for him to play a few other roles as Coach Steinmetz searches for the best spot for the potential game-changing guard.

#33 Johnny Dan: Anyone who has watched Sarachek over the past few years knows what Johnny Dan can do. The 6-1 forward led Valley Torah to back-to-back Sarachek championships, becoming the second-ever two-time Sarachek MVP. Dan’s game is highlighted by his defensive tenacity, his calm demeanor, and his impressive shooting ability. Once Johnny becomes comfortable with the system, he will look to make his mark on the court for the Macs.

#34 Nate Jacobs: Nate Jacobs is another player who starred at Sarachek before coming to the Macs. The Cleveland native was the star of his Fuchs Mizrahi Mayhem, earning second-team All-Sarachek honors in his junior and senior seasons. Jacobs is an excellent scorer with a high basketball IQ. Jacobs earned his spot on the team through his effort and determination in practice, which showed through in his performance in the Macs’ recent scrimmage against Drew. Look for Jacobs to bring a lot of energy, especially on the glass, and to work his way into an impact role for Yeshiva. 

#45 Alex Kirievsky: Alex Kirievsky is a talented 6-6 forward who comes to the Macs after a year in Harold Katz's program in Israel. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Kirievsky is a fundamentally sound player with a high basketball IQ. The Aussie brings a solid back-to-the-basket presence that pairs well with his excellent footwork in the post. Whether it's in the starting lineup or coming off the bench, look for Alex to make an immediate impact with this Macs squad.

Returning Players:

#0 Tom Beza: Tom Beza is a 6' senior guard from Israel. After being stuck towards the end of the bench in his first two seasons with the Macs, Tom was allowed to shine and ran with it. After impressing in a brief appearance vs Wesleyan, Tom became a solid contributor for the Macs. His energy and tenacity on defense made him the go-to sparkplug off the bench for Coach Steinmetz as he appeared in 19 of the Macs’ final 21 games. Look for him to build on last year as he tries to keep his role in the rotation.

#1 Ari Shklyar: Shklyar is a 6’ guard entering his fourth and final season with the Macs. The South Carolina native has thus far played a minimal on-court role with the Macs, having appeared in 20 games over his first three seasons. Shklyar has made a massive impact off the court, becoming one of the heart and soul guys of the team, serving as the vice president of the team’s shacharis and the official DJ for aliyos. On the court, Shklyar is a good shooter who plays with passion and poise. Having put up 12 points across seven games last year, Ari has proven that he will be ready to rise when called upon.

#10 Ben Lasry: Ben Lasry is a highly athletic wing looking to take a step forward in year two. Standing at 6-5, Lasry holds all the physical tools to develop into a contributor for the Macs. In his eight appearances, we saw flashes of a gifted defensive forward who can spark a fastbreak and slam it down with the best of ‘em. Ben will look to build off his opening season and earn a role in the rotation. 

#12-Zevi Samet: What more is there to say about Zevi Samet? In his 3 years with the Macs, he has been a key leader on and off the court. Samet has spearheaded the Macs' offense, leading the team in scoring each year, and is on pace to break Ryan Turell's all-time points record. He has even made significant strides on defense, where he continues to improve. Off the court, Zevi runs religious programming for the team, including daily shacharis, trips, and events. While already shooting almost 40% from deep, look for the shtarkshooter to improve his efficiency and become even more potent on fewer touches.

#13 Roy Itcovichi: Itcovichi has been the definition of a glue guy during his three years with the Macs. He has played forward, guard, and wing; he has started and come off the bench; and he has done it all without a single complaint. The 6-5 athlete calmly walks onto the court when called and has been a significant contributor to the Macs. His defensive versatility has been a big weapon for Coach Steinmetz, who called Roy, “one of the best kids I’ve ever coached”. Roy has also developed a deadly midrange shot, which he uses to complement his three-point shot. Look for Roy again to do some of everything for the Macs this season. 

#14 Tom Valdman: In his opening season, Tom appeared in 10 games for the Macs as he began learning the Macs' system and adjusting to the American game. The 6-5 forward from Israel has enormous growth potential in this offense. Coach Steinmetz mentioned that Tom has been one of the most improved players this offseason, looking to crack the rotation for the Macs. 

#15 Or Sundjyvsky: Last season was a tale of two halves for Sundjyvsky. After struggling through injury during the Mac's first few games, Or missed a few games as he tried to find a solution to his struggles. Upon his return, Sundjyvsky was a totally new player. The 6-5 forward played a selfless brand of basketball, focusing on rebounding and creating opportunities for teammates. After his return, Sundjyvsky averaged 11.7 points, a team-high 7.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. The most significant change was his attitude as he returned to the smiley, happy guy we saw in his first year with YU. Or will he look to grow on his rebrand last year and become a real under-the-radar weapon for the Macs, on both sides of the court?

#22 Dothan Bardichev: Dothan was a massive piece for the Macs across his first two seasons, but struggled last year while dealing with a nagging injury. The 6-6 big man is an incredible passer and leads the current Macs in career assists with 203. Bardichev is also an excellent shooter, having shot 38.7% from deep in his sophomore campaign. Now healthy and ready to go, Dothan reminds Macs fans how integral he can be to this team.

#23-Max Zakheim: Max Zakheim is the heart and soul of these Macs. A true workhorse in games and at practice, Zakheim is the engine that keeps the team running. Since transferring from Bryant in 2022, Zakheim has averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. The Macs’ primary ballhandler, Zakheim, is lethal when headed downhill. The Red Rocket is also the defense leader, averaging almost two steals per game across his three seasons. Assuming Zakheim can stay healthy, look for him to end his Mac tenure with a bang as one of the key senior leaders of this group.

#24 Hillel Baynash: Hillel is one of the most energetic guys on this Macs squad. Even when he is not on the court, the 5-7 guard still makes an impact, pushing everyone in practice and hyping up the bench. When his name gets called, the energetic guard overwhelms opponents with his defensive intensity. Baynash is also a plus shooter and is someone Coach Steinmetz can call upon when looking for a spark in the lineup. 

#25 Noam Edri: Noam Edri is a 6-6 forward with great potential. Coming from Eilat, Israel, Edri joined the Macs in January last season after starting the year with D2 Lawrence Tech. Edri is still learning the system, but has the tools to make an impact. Noam is a good shooter, and his large frame can give the Macs another big down low. Over the offseason, Edri worked hard and looks to be in great shape. Look for Edri’s role to grow as he deepens his understanding of the Macs’ intricate system.

#30 Asher Falk: After an injury held him out for the start of the 24-25 season, Falk returned to the lineup and made his mark. Despite standing at only 5'10, Falk is an absolute menace defensively. A high-IQ player, Asher complements his defense with a strong scoring ability and impressive athleticism. Despite some fierce competition, Falk will look to carve out a role for himself in this Mac rotation. 

#55 Yoav Oselka: After missing much of his first season, Yoav bounced back and significantly impacted his sophomore campaign. He started 20 of his 29 games, averaging 8 points and five rebounds per game. Yoav will likely play center for the Macs this season, but don’t let his 6’7” frame fool you. Oselka is a smooth athlete who can defend perimeter guards. We’ve also seen impressive transition play from Oselka, which has led to multiple thunderous dunks. Yoav is developing a good midrange jumper and has improved his footwork over the offseason. Oselka will leverage his unique skill set to create mismatches and cause problems for opponents.