(haipo) – But in Haifa basketball: Haim (Ixy) Buchbinder, the great basketball player of Maccabi Haifa, passed away • 82 years old at the time of his death.
But a heavy burden fell on basketball fans in Haifa this evening (Saturday, April 19.4.2025, XNUMX) with the news of the death of Chaim (Ixy) Buchbinder, who was the greatest Maccabi Haifa basketball player of all time.
Chaim (Ixi) Buchbinder was for many years the sole and undefeated basket king of Maccabi Haifa of all time. The late Ixi holds a personal record for the average points for an Israeli player throughout his basketball career, and also played for the Israeli national team 46 times.
There is no doubt that the late Ixey is the greatest Maccabi Haifa player of all time and its basket king with 6,044 points. He won the Israeli League's "basket king" title twice, with a season record of 2 points that will never be broken, and a then-record of 792 points per game.
The late Ixi Buchbinder played 45 times for the Israeli national team, including in 2 European Championships, and in 1965 was the top scorer against the Russian champion in a game in Moscow with 12 points. The late Ixi played in the first league only for Maccabi Haifa for 11 seasons and another 3 in the second league, and was also a coach for three terms. He was also a versatile player with exceptional personal ability.
In the 1971-1970 season, Buchbinder achieved his greatest achievement with Maccabi, when he led them to the State Cup final for the first time in their history, in which they lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. At the end of 1972, Buchbinder retired from active play, and since then he has been coming to watch the basketball games of the various teams at the Romema Sports Hall in Haifa with great regularity.
Upon his retirement from basketball, Buchbinder was a basketball coach and also a sports commentator on the radio program "Tsaad Havzi" (A Step and a Half), which was broadcast on Galei Tzahal. He also coached the teams Maccabi and Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Galil Elyon, Maccabi Kiryat Motzkin and Maccabi Nazareth. He also guided and coached the Israeli cadet team and at the same time the disabled basketball team of "Beit Haloham" Haifa. The late Iksi was also a physical education teacher at the "Ironi Ha" school in Haifa.
Upon learning of the death of Chaim (Ixi) Buchbinder, Roi Schwatz, CEO of the Maccabi Haifa Association, paid tribute to him this evening: "Chaim “Ixi” Buchbinder was a rare scorer, a green legend and a symbol of an unforgettable era in Israeli basketball. He left a huge professional mark – with thousands of points, titles and recognition – but no less than that, he was an inspiring figure, a man of path, values and education. Maccabi Haifa bows its head to the passing of one of its greats. May his memory be blessed!".
The "Hay Fa News Corporation" website team shares in the grief and heavy mourning of the Buchbinder family and expresses its sincere condolences, Haim (Ixy) Buchbinder, may his memory be blessed!
Roy Schwatz, CEO of the Maccabi Haifa Association:
Haim “Ixy” Buchbinder was a rare scorer, a green legend and a symbol of an unforgettable era in Israeli basketball. He left a huge professional mark – with thousands of points, titles and recognition – but no less than that, he was an inspiring figure, a man of path, values and education.
Maccabi Haifa bows its head to the passing of one of its greats.
Where is the Maccabi Haifa club that will attend the funeral of the Buchbinder family?
Condolences to the Buchbinder family.
Ixsi was not only a top Spartan and a great player, but also a true "character" in every sense.
painful