Athletes Flee Israel Amidst Airstrikes

In March 2026, American athletes, including basketball players Morgan Batey and Leigha Brown, faced urgent evacuations from Israel due to escalating airstrikes and retaliatory attacks in the Middle East. Batey described a tense three-hour journey from Tel Aviv to the Jordanian border, prioritizing safety over a multi-thousand-dollar contract with her club, Hapoel Rishon LeZion. She eventually flew home to Atlanta after a two-day, multi-country trip.

Leigha Brown, playing for Elitzur Holon, initially received dismissive responses from team officials regarding the dangers, with calls to stay put. After coordinating with other U.S. players, she and her fiancée were transported to Egypt by van, encountering a tire blowout before being rescued by another group. They eventually flew to Istanbul, where they encountered further security alerts before reaching their homes in Indiana.

Dozens of U.S. athletes found themselves scrambling to arrange departures amidst airport closures, airspace restrictions, and widespread flight cancellations. While some players managed to leave, others remained stranded, facing significant logistical hurdles in attempting to return home. The situation underscored the profound risks faced by athletes playing in volatile regions.

The Israeli league has suspended play, with players' pay expected to continue. However, athletes who left may be required to return if the season resumes. Both Batey and Brown expressed openness to future overseas play, but not in the Middle East, emphasizing that their immediate priority was returning home safely.