Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Featuring the Runnin’ Utes: Joul Karram
11/30/2024 1:47 PM | Men's Basketball
The freshman forward from Israel comes to Salt Lake City with experience and energy
Being one of six international players on the Runnin' Utes roster, Joul Karram embarks on his first season in college basketball – traveling from nearly 7,000 miles away from Israel. The freshman forward brings global basketball experience and energy to Salt Lake City.
Karram was born in Nazareth before moving to Tel Aviv, the nation's capital, for his high school career. Karram's final two years before college enhanced the forward's skill sets and experience, playing across Europe with many great players.
In the summer of 2022, Karram began playing with the Israeli U16 National Team and later joined the squad on the U18 team. The following summer, Karram competed with the Israeli Select Team. During that season, the team squared off against Big 12 powerhouses Arizona and Kansas State on their foreign tour.
"It was actually a coach that called me and he knew I was trying to get to college next year," Karram said. "He told me 'I'm coaching the select team this year and I want you to come and play with us.' We had maybe three or four practices, and it was crazy. I was nervous to get in there. It was a whole different level and different size. It was fun to see the athleticism, size and intensity."
This most recent summer, Karram was a member of the Israeli U18 team that competed at the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket in Finland. The Israeli team made a deep run in the tournament, fighting its way into the semifinals. The series of seven games was an important learning experience for Karram while also serving as a way to elevate his game.
"It helps you when you play the best prospects in Europe and against the best national teams…We played every team and knocked out France and Spain, lost to Serbia on a buzzer-beater and lost to Slovenia in the third-place game. But it was an amazing experience just seeing how everything goes and high-level basketball."
Through his pre-collegiate career, Karram traveled across Europe to play. This list includes Serbia, Macedonia, Finland, and Israel.
After an exceptional summer and being named to the Israeli U18 All-Star Team, Karram committed to Utah just before September to add another powerful presence in the paint. Karram was in discussion with a handful of other programs in the country but decided on the Runnin' Utes to dominate on the interior.
"It was especially Coach Olson and Coach Smith. There was something different about it. Utah seemed like the place for me as a young big to develop and it seemed like the best place for me…I just thought that coach really believes in bigs, and all of it was real. Our play style depends on good bigs."
While the drastic lifestyle change halfway across the world to play in the greatest conference in college basketball was thrilling, it also posed great challenges both mentally and physically for the young hooper.
"You just have to find a way to get used to life here and understand that you're living here and you're on your own at the beginning. My first month and a half, two months, were super tough because you're alone all the time. You understand that you're not on vacation. You're here to stay, living as every other person here. There's a big cultural difference, but you just find your way like talking to friends and family back home to help you. Everybody has to figure out a way to get used to it."
Karram recorded his first collegiate appearance against Alcorn State in the season opener and scored his first collegiate point against Central Arkansas at the free throw line. While the Runnin' Utes enjoy a home-court advantage in nine of their first ten games, Karram is particularly eager for one thing.
"Spending time on the road to play all of the Big 12 teams and see other crowds…also, being with the team more, and just all of what comes with being on the road."
Karram and the Runnin' Utes head into the third game of a six-game homestand, facing off against the Eastern Washington Eagles on the final day of November.
Karram was born in Nazareth before moving to Tel Aviv, the nation's capital, for his high school career. Karram's final two years before college enhanced the forward's skill sets and experience, playing across Europe with many great players.
In the summer of 2022, Karram began playing with the Israeli U16 National Team and later joined the squad on the U18 team. The following summer, Karram competed with the Israeli Select Team. During that season, the team squared off against Big 12 powerhouses Arizona and Kansas State on their foreign tour.
"It was actually a coach that called me and he knew I was trying to get to college next year," Karram said. "He told me 'I'm coaching the select team this year and I want you to come and play with us.' We had maybe three or four practices, and it was crazy. I was nervous to get in there. It was a whole different level and different size. It was fun to see the athleticism, size and intensity."
This most recent summer, Karram was a member of the Israeli U18 team that competed at the 2024 FIBA U18 Eurobasket in Finland. The Israeli team made a deep run in the tournament, fighting its way into the semifinals. The series of seven games was an important learning experience for Karram while also serving as a way to elevate his game.
"It helps you when you play the best prospects in Europe and against the best national teams…We played every team and knocked out France and Spain, lost to Serbia on a buzzer-beater and lost to Slovenia in the third-place game. But it was an amazing experience just seeing how everything goes and high-level basketball."
Through his pre-collegiate career, Karram traveled across Europe to play. This list includes Serbia, Macedonia, Finland, and Israel.
After an exceptional summer and being named to the Israeli U18 All-Star Team, Karram committed to Utah just before September to add another powerful presence in the paint. Karram was in discussion with a handful of other programs in the country but decided on the Runnin' Utes to dominate on the interior.
"It was especially Coach Olson and Coach Smith. There was something different about it. Utah seemed like the place for me as a young big to develop and it seemed like the best place for me…I just thought that coach really believes in bigs, and all of it was real. Our play style depends on good bigs."
While the drastic lifestyle change halfway across the world to play in the greatest conference in college basketball was thrilling, it also posed great challenges both mentally and physically for the young hooper.
"You just have to find a way to get used to life here and understand that you're living here and you're on your own at the beginning. My first month and a half, two months, were super tough because you're alone all the time. You understand that you're not on vacation. You're here to stay, living as every other person here. There's a big cultural difference, but you just find your way like talking to friends and family back home to help you. Everybody has to figure out a way to get used to it."
Karram recorded his first collegiate appearance against Alcorn State in the season opener and scored his first collegiate point against Central Arkansas at the free throw line. While the Runnin' Utes enjoy a home-court advantage in nine of their first ten games, Karram is particularly eager for one thing.
"Spending time on the road to play all of the Big 12 teams and see other crowds…also, being with the team more, and just all of what comes with being on the road."
Karram and the Runnin' Utes head into the third game of a six-game homestand, facing off against the Eastern Washington Eagles on the final day of November.
Players Mentioned
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