Yarden Garzon’s Full-Circle Journey: From Israeli Prodigy to Maryland Star

Her story is far from over, yet it’s already coming full circle. 

Yarden Garzon grew up in Ra'anana, Israel, idolizing former Terp Shay Doron. Now, she’s setting examples for others and drawing on the wisdom of Doron and Brenda Frese to reach the next level and chapter of her outstanding basketball career.

“I knew I wanted to go to play college basketball from a young age, about the time I was 14,” Garzon said. “I looked up to Israeli players, even before my sister went to college and had really good experiences.”

Her sister, Lior Garzon, played collegiately for Villanova, Oklahoma State and Colorado. She was even the first Israeli student-athlete in the Buffaloes’ history. 

“After my sister went to college, it was easier to know and actually see how it goes and how it works at the college level,” Garzon said. “I saw the level of play and what they put into the facilities and everything that comes with it. I went to Indiana, and that’s where it all got started.”

She made her first collegiate impact in three seasons in Bloomington, Indiana, but her basketball journey started decades before, over 5,500 miles from College Park. 

Back home in Israel, Garzon grew up competing at the highest levels available. She spent time with Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the Israel Senior National Team. She also played in the 2021 U20 European Challengers.

“I feel my success comes with experience as a European,” Garzon said. “Our system is a little bit different, playing with national teams from a young age and playing all around Israel, or playing with much older players than me over the years. I think that helped input a lot of experience very early in my career. I'm very fortunate that I had these experiences as a little girl. That’s what’s helped me the most.”

She looked up to Doron, a Maryland legend and key component of the Terps’ 2006 National Championship team. Sharing Israeli roots, Doron was the perfect role model for a young girl with huge aspirations. 

“She's a mentor for me,” Garzon said. “We talk here and there. She did it all before, and she was an amazing player, and I’ve learned a lot from her.” 

“I wouldn't consider myself a mentor,” Doron said. “But she knows she can reach me anytime, and I'm always happy to help.”

When the Terps took on Ohio State earlier in January, Garzon tallied 19 points. Fifteen of those points came on five 3-pointers. After the game, she met with the girls’ basketball team from Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville. 

Garzon got to meet another Yarden — a player on the high school team — and talk to a group of girls that she’s inspiring and paving the way for. 

“It's kind of crazy to me,” Garzon said. “Sometimes, I don't really realize that I'm the one that other people look at, but it’s amazing. It helps me to hold myself to a standard that I know girls looking up to me and wanting to be like me would be proud of. It’s about giving them a good example of how to speak with the media and be nice to everybody, and to be grateful for what they have. Their support means so much for me and for the team. I’m glad they see me as a model.”

“It's amazing to see,” Doron said. “I'm always happy to see Israelis succeed, especially worldwide, and of course, I'm super proud that another Israeli is doing so well at UMD. I think it's important to have the younger generation see what amazing things they can do, and Yarden is able to do that with her abilities and who she is off the court.”

Garzon’s success story spans countries, generations and programs. She became Indiana’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers and 3-point percentage in just three seasons in Bloomington. 

“Yarden had been such a core player on really good, winning teams,” Frese said. “When her name popped up, our staff knew right away it was worth a call. We'd scouted her and prepared to play against her for three years.  I wish we'd have recruited her four years ago, but better late than never.”

“The conversation with Coach B was really good,” Garzon said. “She was asking a lot about my family, about myself, about my journey, and she was talking about her program and what she's about. The connection was there, and I really liked what she said and what she's about. It was really easy from there. They organized a visit for me in 12 hours, so I really appreciated that. It just felt right for me.”

When it was time for Garzon to find her next stop, she relied on advice from her sister, someone who had transferred before and knew what to look for in finding a new home. 

“She's one of the most important people in my life,” Garzon said. “She's my family, and I trust her with everything. I know she's gonna be honest with me, and she wants the best for me. It was good to have her there and have her eyes and experiences. She had done this process two times before. I think that helped a lot, and I was very grateful that Maryland made it happen, because it also told me how much they understand how much family matters and how important it is.”

Even thousands of miles away, Garzon’s family is as close-knit as they come. Throughout the college careers of several of their four children, Ruth and Eitan Garzon have ensured that their kids understand the importance of family.

“My family is my main support staff,” Garzon said. “We're all really close to each other, and we are always there for each other. We share everything, and we make decisions together, and we tell each other what we think and ask how we can help. I know they want the best for me in my career. They come to visit me when they can, and I never take that for granted.”

They’ll be with her as she looks to take her next steps, too. Garzon has WNBA aspirations, again following in Doron's footsteps. 

“It makes me super proud and happy,” Doron said. “It's amazing to see that 20 years after we won and left, Maryland is still a powerhouse and attracting top talent. Brenda does a great job with her team to keep the program at the top level every year. I wish for Yarden that she continues to maximize her potential, the Terps win the title this year, and that she achieves her dream of playing in the WNBA.”

Doron was one of Frese’s first major recruits when taking over the Maryland program before the 2002-03 season. After an incredible career in College Park, Doron was the 16th-overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft. 

Frese has consistently brought elite players into her program, with Garzon the latest addition to that trend. 

“That’s part of why I came to Maryland,” Garzon said. “Brenda and her staff are known as the greatest place to go to be a pro after being part of this program. I’ve been learning from them about what it takes to be pro and what I need to do in order to get there. The next step is to go pro, maximize my potential, and hopefully to be the best player I can be.”

But before she can look too far ahead, she’s got an incredible season to finish with an elite team and group of young women who have helped her find a home at Maryland. 

“I’ve been able to create so many memories and so many great friendships,” Garzon said. They all try to make me more loose and help me let go and enjoy the moment. I'm honestly grateful for the little moments, if it's in the locker room, if it's when we eat dinners or lunches together, I just love the small talk and how much everybody cares about each other. It shows me that I’m in the right place.”