WVU Basketball Signs 2023 F Ofri Naveh Out of Israel

WVU interim head coach and West Virginia basketball have officially locked up Ofri Naveh, their coveted recruit from Israel. Naveh has now signed on with the Mountaineers and will be a freshman during the 2023-2024 season.

The news comes a week after Naveh completed his FIBA U18 European Championship play, helping Israel finish sixth out of 16 teams. He committed to WVU just a couple days before his season ended. Naveh averaged 11.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks through seven games. The 6-foot-7 forward shot 54% from the field, 47% from three and 67% from the free throw line. Naveh played an average of 29.8 minutes per contest.

SIGNED ✍️

Welcome to Almost Heaven, @OfriNaveh!

➡️ https://t.co/xdtTGbBvxj#HailWV pic.twitter.com/195bLcBTAO

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) August 9, 2023

WVU Interim HC Josh Eilert on Ofri Naveh.

“Ofri has really good skills for his size, especially guard skills. He’s young, and he’s going to continue to develop his body and increase his strength. He has a really good first step to get by the opposition. Ofri played well for Israel this summer, and we look forward to Ofri arriving here and joining our Mountaineer basketball family.”

WVU Interim HC Josh Eilert on Ofri Naveh.

"Ofri has really good skills for his size, especially guard skills. He’s young, and he’s going to continue to develop his body and increase his strength. He has a really good first step to get by the opposition. Ofri played well for… https://t.co/XFnN9fWOl3

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 9, 2023

Naveh gives West Virginia their 12th player on roster as the coaching staff looks to fill the final spot. Naveh’s recruitment was mostly quiet, but he still heard from Butler, Marquette, Overtime Elite, Wake Forest and others. West Virginia contacted Naveh two weekends ago and completed a Zoom call with him, a source told WV Sports Now. WVU’s staff quickly got the job done with Naveh.

Naveh has a unique play style as the Israeli native plays like a guard but is the size of a forward. Naveh can score at all three levels on the floor.