Markovic, Erez

Markovic is one of the most well-rounded Israeli centers of the last twenty years. He is probably the best offensive rebounder among the local players. Erez is a versatile offensive player who is at his best in the paint, with his back to the hoop. He plays for Ironi Naharia and the Israeli national team.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. July, 10, 1978

Career Highlights:
Erez was the star center for the Maccabi Rishon Le'Tzion youth team from the early 1990s onward. In the 1995-96 season, the center led his unfancied high school, Kiryat Sharett Holon, to the national championship. The youngster was promoted to the Rishon Le'Tzion first team the following year but played very little. In 1996, Markovic scored 8.6 points per game in Israel's unsuccessful attempt to reach the European youth basketball Championships.

Over the next three years Markovic made surprisingly little progress. He played out the 1997-98 season with second division Maccabi Rehovot. Erez played out the next two years with Maccabi Ramat Gan and his form disappointed the Israeli basketball establishment which had marked him as the center of the future.

In 2000-01 Erez played for the low budget Elitzur Ashkelon top division club. He scored 8.6 points and took down a team leading 5.9 rebounds per game. Ashkelon was relegated from the top division, but Markovic did help the team to the State Cup quarterfinals.

The center was signed by a well-rounded Ironi Ramat Gan team in 2001-02 and was relegated to utility player status. With 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, Erez was very useful coming off the bench and helped Ramat Gan to a surprising second place finish in the league. Ironi also reached the playoff final, only to be swept by Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3.

Markovic enjoyed a breakout year at the newly promoted Ironi Naharyia team in the 2002-03 season. With 13.8 points and 5.9 boards per game, he was one of the top scoring local players in the league. His defense had improved remarkably and he was among the major contributors to Naharyia's impressive third place finish. Erez faced Maccabi for a second straight playoff final series, and his team lost 0-3 again.

While many Israeli basketball teams collapse after a successful season, due to financial stress, Naharyia built on their success in 2003-04. Erez was obviously singled out as the future of the franchise and enjoyed another fine season. He made 10.5 points, at 55.7% FG and won 5.0 rebounds per game. Naharyia failed to reach the playoff finals as they lost in the final group and saw Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv qualify instead.

Origin:
Rishon Le'Tzion, Israel

Career Dates:
1996-

Position:
Center

Physical description:
6"8

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