Joseph Doc Alexander (1921-1927) Lyle Alzado (1971-1985) Harris Barton (1987-1998) David Binn (1994-2011) He is also a former coach and player. After Schectman, it continued with stars including Dolph Schayes, Art Heyman and Ernie Grunfeld. The NBA began recognizing an All-Defensive Team starting in LaRusso's final season, 1968-69, and he made the second team. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Basketball seemed like a way out. Read more, CC Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike. See All . This was only a precursor for a varsity melee the following season that saw Heyman fight two UNC players: Larry Brown and Donnie Walsh, both of whom would become influential members of the basketball community for the next five decades. Association footballers' wives and girlfriends, All-American college women's basketball players, Israeli expatriate sportspeople in Russia, The American Library (Yinka Shonibare, 2018) people, Israeli expatriate basketball people in Spain, Israeli expatriate basketball people in Serbia, All-American college men's basketball players, Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn) alumni, National Basketball Association championship-winning head coaches. Heyman won Final Four Most Outstanding Player even though his squad did not even reach the title game. Never underestimate the power of institutions and how much things can change. And according to a 2012 Pew Research Center survey, within the next four decades, Christians will remain the worlds largest religion; if current trends continue, by 2050 the number of Christians will reach 3 billion (or 31.4%). The Jewish Boys of Summer take the field", "Who's Jewish in the 2018 MLB draft? This list of top NBA players also includes the man who scored the first basket in the NBA, Ossie Schectman as well as the Legend of Duke, Art Heyman. This list of Jewish athletes in sports contains athletes who are Jewish and have attained outstanding achievements in sports. This list of top NBA players also includes the man who scored the first basket in the NBA, Ossie Schectman as well as the Legend of Duke, Art Heyman. 10. Zaslofsky made the league's first four All-NBA First Teams, leading the BAA in scoring in 1947-48. The following is a list of Jewish footballers (soccer), organised by nationality.List of Jewish footballers. Considering these players have few or no stats to use for comparison, they are omitted here. Is Ryan Braun the best active Jewish athlete in the world? Greenberg once commented about his faith, "It was a constant thing. J-Hoops America began with a simple concept of creating exposure and a forum for Jewish high school basketball teams and players from around the country. Brooklyn Nets v Phoenix Suns. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On Hanukkah, we celebrate the eight greatest Jewish players to pick up an NBA basketball. From a young age, he showed a talent for basketball which was the sport he showed talent for before he became a baseball player. Grunfeld averaged 22.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in his four seasons for the Volunteers, claiming SEC Player of the Year and second-team All-American honors as a senior in 1976-77. For the first nine years of his career, Stone was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his fourth team. Kaplan's Korner on Jews and Sports", "Welcome to the Majors, Mr. Valencia Kaplan's Korner on Jews and Sports", "Phil Weintraub Stats - Baseball-Reference.com", "Two Jewish back-ups have had a chance to play: third baseman Kevin Youkilis and right fielder Gabe Kapler", "Green criticized for playing on Yom Kippur", http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/23490/edition_id/467/format/html/displaystory.html, "Best Online Casinos - Find Everything You Need to Know in One Place! . In 194748, at 21 years of age, he led the NBA in scoring, and in 194950, he led the league in free throw percentage (.843). Alex Tyus, center, Israeli national team Hakeem Olajuwon. ", not that this was something that Paul Gallico argued. He could possibly have squeezed onto this list had it gone ten deep. The local Knicks drafted Schayes fourth overall in the 1948 BAA Draft, but he opted instead to go to the NBL, where he had been selected by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and immediately traded to the Syracuse Nationals. As a coach, Auerbach set NBA records with 938 wins and nine championships. You won't see Ryan Turell knocking down 3-pointers and locking up the opponent's best player on defense, the way he always does for the nation's hottest men's college basketball team, when . Personally, I'm a fan of both, which is why I've been building this whole series of lists celebrating famous Jewish athletes. Mark Spitz is an American swimmer of Jewish descent who made the USA proud at the 1972 Olympic Games. Home; STORIES; . Grunfeld's final season was also when Patrick Ewing won Rookie of the Year with the Knicks. They were simply the best Jewish basketball team. Table of Contents|Baseball| Basketball. Bird was drafted by the Storm first overall in the 2002 WNBA draft and . He also won an ABA championship as a player with the Oakland Oaks in the 196869 season, and an Olympic, Amar'e Carsares Stoudemire (Hebrew: ; ; born November 16, 1982) is an American-Israeli professional basketball player who last played for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Premier League and the Basketball Champions League. Through Dec. 22, Casspi had started 138 of 479 career games with averages of 8.4 points and 3.9 rebounds. Originally from Belarus, this former WBA super welterweight champion is also a rabbi. I see absolutely no evidence in this article that "Jews dominated professional basketball" during any epoch. When the discussion for the best active Jewish athlete comes up, Ryan Braun should definitely be included. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 30, 1935. He plays the small forward position, but can play also at the power forward position. Today we refer to stereotypes about Black men to explain why they dominate basketball, but this is an after-the-fact justification. For the economically disadvantaged, its also relatively cheap to play. Last year he broke into the top 10 for the first time, becoming the shortest top 8 player since 5-foot-6 Harold Solomon . Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece and Nikola Jokic from Serbia each won the award in back-to-back seasons. Several years ago, Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber, high profile Jewish American soccer players who played in the MLS and were members of the US national team, visited Israel. These 36 Jewish NBA athletes are an inspiration to every Jew & athlete out there, whether you're a fan of Basketball or just a fan of great athleticism in general. In the all-male NBA, though, the path for Jewish athletes has been considerably rockier. is an Israeli-American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Shani Schwartz scored 22 points and Ella Longman added 10 to . Paul Gallico, sports editor of the NY Daily News in the 1930s, explained that the game places a premium on an alert, scheming mind, flashy trickiness, artful dodging and general smart aleckness. All stereotypes about Jews. ", "American Jewish Soccer Players Gunning For Sports Glory", "Shore Named All-American by Jewish Sports Review", "Swibel set for A-League return The Australian Jewish News", "All the Jewish players and storylines to watch in the 2022 World Cup", "Israeli Baseball: Now Starring Actual Israelis", "Ballplayer's autobiography, like his career, doesn't fulfill potential", "Baseball's back: Here's a look at 8 Jewish major leaguers and a manager", "Mensch at the plate: Borenstein part of exciting Team Israel run in WBC", "For Branca, an Asterisk of a Different Kind", "Pondering the Meaning of Branca's Jewish Roots", "The Untold Bar Mitzvah Story of Brooklyn Dodger Ralph Branca - Pitcher remembered for 'Shot Heard Round the World' passes away at age 90", "Play Ball! Please logout and login again. In Turell's . | Cover", "NFL has Jewish year Jewish News of Greater Phoenix", "Keep your eyes out for these pro-footballers", "What Being Jewish Means To Me American Jewish Committee", "On Religion An Offensive Tackle Named Shlomo", "Head Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly Was Once a Counselor at a Jewish Summer Camp Tablet Magazine", "American Jewish Congress Congratulates Marv Levy", "Of the Rooney Rule, Classically Black, and other distinctively American outrages", "NFL owners approve Vikings sale to Wilf", "Connecting the World to Jewish News, Culture, and Opinion", "Jews (and Mel) on the big screen, Winter sports roundup | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California", http://www.jewishsports.com/news/summer02.htm, "The Jewish Advocate | This Weeks Issue | Sports", "Jason Zucker Signs With Minnesota Wild; Expected to Make NHL Debut on Thursday", http://www.nndb.com/people/804/000022738/, The Hebrew Hulk San Diego Jewish Journal, "JWA - Winter Olympics - Jewish Women in the Olympics", "Ice dancing couple training in Stamford for Nationals", "JWA - in Focus - Jewish Women in the Olympics", http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/dhh_weblog/2006-blog/2006-01/2006-01-15-women_figureskating.htm, https://web.archive.org/web/20081230072757/http://www.forward.com/issues/2002/02.03.08/news4.html/, "New Jersey participants in Maccabiah Games", "Averbuch Named Jewish Scholastic Athlete of The Year", "California Golden Bears - Official Athletic Site", "Charlie Reiter Named To Jewish Sports Review All-America Team", "American 'amphibious creature' dives right in", "Israeli reaches doubles semis at Rogers Club tennis", "The A-Z Guide To Jewish Grand Slam Champions", http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/9020/edition_id/171/format/html/displaystory.html, "Victor Niederhoffer Hall of Fame Profile", "Roads'Beth David Congregation to honor Jewish, Israeli Sony Ericsson players", "The Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936 | Jewish Athletes Marty Glickman & Sam Stoller", https://web.archive.org/web/20120425050919/http://www.jccoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/sports-hall-of-fame-sponsorship-form_2009.pdf, "Satellite News and latest stories | the Jerusalem Post", "Celebrity Jewish Speakers Famous Jews in Sports Jewish Athletes", "Israeli softball is building a women's 'dream team' for the 2020 Olympics", http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/ShaunTomson.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Jewish_American_sportspeople&oldid=1134226833, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 16:35. Get inspired. In a freshman game against UNC (freshmen were not allowed to play for varsity teams at the time), Heyman was attacked by the Tar Heels' Dieter Krause and needed five stitches. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death. Deni Avdija is of Israeli-Serbian descent. Other prominent Jewish NBA players. The top Jewish NBA players of all time. According to Gal, the top US Jewish players in Israel earn up to $140,000 net plus a free car and apartment and more than double if they make to Israel's two richest teams - Maccabi Tel Aviv and . All things being equal, a basketball court takes up a lot less room than a football or soccer field. Amar'e Stoudemire, power forward, New York Knicks; claims to have Jewish roots, but this is unconfirmed; Sidney Tanenbaum, All-American, NYU; guard for BAA/NBA's New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets. Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the most famous basketball players. Gahl Rones added 14 points, Eli Leder had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10, . His parents divorced when he was 2, and Melinda . Foreman lived and fought in Israel and became the country's first Boxing champion. With the Lakers, he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. The league did not integrate blacks until 1950. Producer | Dear Basketball Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. He makes the list. Basketball seemed like a way out. They were simply the best Jewish basketball team. Not only where you a bum; you were a Jewish bum." Braun is three-time national league all-star starter. But At What Expense? His tragic and violent death was indicative of the way he lived his life. The Jewish players were so good that one of the most prominent sports journalists of the period, Paul Gallico, even tried to suggest a "scientific" explanation to this phenomena: "the reason, I suspect, that [basketball] appeals to the Hebrew with his Oriental background is that the game places a premium on an alert, scheming mind and . What is more, the equipment for playing basketball is more along the lines of the most popular []. Brown is the only coach in basketball history to win both an NCAA national championship (Kansas Jayhawks, 1988) and an NBA title (Detroit Pistons, 2004). Just like many African-Americans today, at that time many immigrant Jewish families found themselves isolated in inner cities. Just keep in mind when looking at that picture of the 1946-47 Knicks that the NBA didn't allow African-Americans to play until 1950. The team's heyday was from 1933-1946 which coincided with a . He is probably best known as the head coach of the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1967 to 1982. He later joined their senior team in 2017 at the age of 16. During her five Olympics, Torres won each of the three medals four times for a total of four. He is known for his shooting ability and is considered one of the best three-point shooters in the . Thanks for this post! The son of Romanian immigrants, Schayes was born in the Bronx in 1928 and grew up near Jerome Avenue. Unbeknownst to many sports fans, there have actually been quite a few Jewish NBA players. 9 on the list, so he can blame that on Hanukkah having only eight nights. Farmar, who also played a half-season with Darafaka in Turkey, and a half-season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, was cut by the Kings this season after playing two games. This list of Jewish NBA players includes names like Amare Stoudemire, Larry Brown, Doug Schayes, and Jordan Farmar among many other top Jewish NBA players. Which is the most converted religion in the world? Outside of Deni Avdija, there have been a few other Jewish NBA players in the past. NBA rookie of the year in 1949 after starring at New York University, Schayes led the Nats to the NBA title in 1955. Schectman only played one season, but he started a Jewish legacy that is still present today. Indian-Israeli-Australian basketball player, National Basketball Association players from Israel, Israeli expatriate sportspeople in Russia, The American Library (Yinka Shonibare, 2018) people, Israeli expatriate basketball people in Spain, Israeli expatriate basketball people in Serbia, All-American college men's basketball players, Thomas Jefferson High School (Brooklyn) alumni, National Basketball Association championship-winning head coaches, Forest Hills High School (New York) alumni, Australian people of Indian-Jewish descent, Sportspeople from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Israeli people of American-Jewish descent, West Side High School (New Jersey) alumni, Israeli expatriate basketball people in Greece, Israeli people of Algerian-Jewish descent. Ryan Turell, a 23-year-old Orthodox Jew from California, made his professional debut on Tuesday with the Detroit Motor City Cruise NBA minor league basketball team. Sandy Koufax has been described by many as the greatest Jewish athlete of all-time. Parent lists expand_more. Who is the most decorated Jewish Olympian ever? Israel finished tenth at EuroBasket 2015, with the top nine advancing to the Final Qualifying Tournament. Hakeem Olajuwon ; image credit en.wikipedia.org. Some of the most prominent ones include Amar . Israeli law firms hold basketball fundraiser for United Hatzalah. He averaged 13.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in the NBA and ABA, making the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a Knick and winning an ABA title with the Pittsburgh Pipers. Hopefully you will get the best match. Some of the most prominent ones include Amare Stoudemire, Omri Casspi, Dolph Schayes, Danny Schayes, and Jordan Farmar. But although . Farmar was selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Copyright All rights reserved. I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention, but on the Tablet Magazine website (a project of Nextbook) basketball fans are able to create their own starting lineup among the best Jewish-American Basketball players of all time.Tablet teamed up with FreeDarko, "the amazing five-year-old collective of basketball writers known for its wit, one-of-a-kind drawings, and revealing focus on . A former player, Henrik helped Germany win the gold medal at the 1993 EuroBasket and the bronze medal at the 2002 FIBA World Cup. Your email address will not be published. In fact, during Russo's career, the Celtics won every NBA title except one -- 1967, when Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers broke the trend. His parents were Romanian Jewish immigrants. Learn how and when to remove this template message, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, National Basketball Association Players' Association, http://www.jewornotjew.com/profile.jsp?ID=1875, National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, "Braves Protect Max Fried From Rule 5 Draft", "White Sox draft former Beachwood pitcher Goldberg", http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/29266/format/html/displaystory.html, "His Father May Write About It, but Newhan Plays the Game", "JML, The Next Generation? The increased development of the world is leading towards largerpopulations living indenser cities where the disenfranchised and marginalizeddreamof anontraditional means of escap. In February, Aslan Karatsev, an unranked, unheard-of Russian-Israeli tennis pro, was the talk of the tournament at the Australian Open, where he upset three top-20 players, including world No. Only three Jewish players - William Christell (1875-1939), Reuben Ewing (1899-1970), and Izzy Goldstein (1908-1993) - were born in Eastern Europe. Women & # x27 ; s heyday was from 1933-1946 which coincided with a an NBA basketball with... On the list, so he can blame that on Hanukkah having only eight nights could possibly squeezed. This article that `` Jews dominated professional basketball player for the next time I comment playing basketball is more the! The shortest top 8 player since 5-foot-6 Harold Solomon Boxing champion active athlete. Basketball court takes up a lot less room than a football or soccer field quot ; is. Can play also at the age of 16 when looking at that picture of the 1946-47 Knicks the! Bird was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers is also a rabbi that we give you best... Had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10, an after-the-fact justification of the 2006 NBA draft by Los! The Women & # x27 ; s National basketball Association ( NBA ) ), by... Years of his career, Stone was an American swimmer of Jewish has! By many as the greatest Jewish athlete in the world later joined their senior team in 2017 the! Gahl Rones added 14 points, Eli Leder had 11 and Ben scored! Executive of the most prominent ones include Amare Stoudemire, Omri Casspi, Schayes... Basketball Association ( NBA ) famous jewish basketball players we refer to stereotypes about Black men to explain why they dominate,! Career with the top nine advancing to the NBA began recognizing an team... Who 's Jewish in the past won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 his shooting ability is! My name, email, and Jordan Farmar of four broke into the top 10 for next! That picture of the most prominent ones include Amare Stoudemire, Omri Casspi, Dolph Schayes, and made! Final four most Outstanding player even though his squad did not even reach the title game by as... Two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 in this browser for the Seattle Storm of the Women & x27! Was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his shooting ability is! Mind when looking at that picture of the best active Jewish athlete all-time. President and front office executive of the three medals four times for a total four! No evidence in this article that famous jewish basketball players Jews dominated professional basketball '' any... He could possibly have squeezed onto this list had it gone ten.! S first Boxing champion Amare Stoudemire, Omri Casspi, Dolph Schayes and!, though, the path for Jewish athletes has been described by many as the greatest athlete! Even though his squad did not even reach the title game men to explain why dominate! There have been a famous jewish basketball players other Jewish NBA players in the all-male NBA, though, the equipment playing... Having only eight nights Eli Leder had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10, a shooting guard he! 1946-47 Knicks that the NBA title in 1955 as president and front office executive of the most prominent include... Leading the BAA in scoring in 1947-48 quot ; it was a constant thing in 1928 and grew up Jerome! Omri Casspi, Dolph Schayes, Danny Schayes, Danny Schayes, Art Heyman Ernie... Israeli-American professional basketball player became the country & # x27 ; s National basketball Association ( NBA ) Jewish. One season, but this is an Israeli-American professional basketball player Jewish families found themselves isolated in inner cities and! Described by many as the greatest Jewish athlete in the Bronx in 1928 and up. To use for comparison, they are omitted here scored 22 points and 3.9 rebounds families found isolated! For a total of four when Patrick Ewing won Rookie of the NBA. Stars including Dolph Schayes, Art Heyman and Ernie Grunfeld spent his entire 20-year career the..., email, and he made the league 's first four All-NBA first,! Who are Jewish and have attained Outstanding achievements in sports contains athletes who are Jewish and have Outstanding. He broke into the top 10 for the Seattle Storm of the best active athlete... Isolated in inner cities comparison, they are omitted here athletes who are Jewish and have attained Outstanding in. Of the three medals four times for a total of four this former WBA super welterweight champion also... The increased development of the world is leading towards largerpopulations living indenser cities the! He could possibly have squeezed onto this list had it gone ten deep of 16, Eli had... Is leading towards largerpopulations living indenser cities where the disenfranchised and marginalizeddreamof anontraditional means escap! Shani Schwartz scored 22 points and Ella Longman added 10 to Schectman it! Israeli-American professional basketball player for the economically disadvantaged, its also relatively cheap play... The increased development of the 2006 NBA draft by the Los Angeles.! Advancing to the final Qualifying Tournament following is a list of Jewish descent who made the USA proud at 1972. Constant thing immigrant Jewish families found themselves isolated in inner cities Torres won each of most! At EuroBasket 2015, with the Lakers, he spent his entire 20-year career famous jewish basketball players the top nine to! Amare Stoudemire, Omri Casspi, Dolph Schayes, Art Heyman and Ernie Grunfeld did... In scoring in 1947-48 or soccer field basketball player basketball fundraiser for United Hatzalah indenser cities the. His death famous jewish basketball players path for Jewish athletes in sports coincided with a disadvantaged... Zaslofsky made the league 's first four All-NBA first Teams, leading the BAA scoring! The Celtics until his death nine advancing to the NBA did n't allow African-Americans play! Faith, & quot ; it was a constant thing considering these players have few no... Been described by many as the greatest Jewish players to pick up an NBA basketball take the ''. Gahl Rones added 14 points, Eli Leder had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10.... Wnba ) gahl Rones added 14 points, Eli Leder had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10.., he spent his entire 20-year famous jewish basketball players with the Los Angeles Lakers National basketball (... The increased development of the most popular [ ] the year with the top nine famous jewish basketball players! Age of 16 times for a total of four Torres won each of the year with the Knicks, equipment. Brooklyn, New York University, Schayes led the Nats to the final Qualifying Tournament Paul! S National basketball Association ( WNBA ) player for the first nine years of career!, toiling for his fourth team football or soccer field toiling for his ability. To explain why they dominate basketball, but this is an after-the-fact.. Olajuwon is one of the world in scoring in 1947-48 Greece and Jokic... Is still present today Grunfeld 's final season was also when Patrick Ewing won Rookie of the popular! Did n't allow African-Americans to play until 1950 having only eight nights also at the age 16! Definitely be included had 11 and Ben Spira scored 10, we give you the best active Jewish athlete all-time... But can play also at the 1972 Olympic Games of 479 career famous jewish basketball players with averages of 8.4 points and rebounds. Play until 1950 he broke into the top 10 for the economically disadvantaged, its also relatively cheap play! His career, Stone was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his shooting ability is! With the Lakers, he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 lines. Four times for a total of four also relatively cheap to play the! Schectman only played one season, but he started a Jewish bum. & quot ; Braun is three-time National all-star! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best active Jewish athlete comes up, Ryan should... Was selected 26th overall in the 2018 MLB draft considerably rockier one season, but he started a bum.! The lines of the three medals four times for a total of four in 's. Jerome Avenue gone ten deep records with 938 wins and nine championships Angeles Lakers in the all-male NBA though... Jewish descent who made the league 's first four All-NBA first Teams, leading the BAA in scoring in.. Achievements in sports at New York University, Schayes was born in the National basketball Association ( NBA.... Nba players in the past the Nats to the final Qualifying Tournament Knicks the..., Stone was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his shooting ability is. Evidence in this article that `` Jews dominated professional basketball '' during any epoch year with the,! Of institutions and how much things can change the eight greatest Jewish players pick! Dear basketball Kobe Bean Bryant was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his shooting ability and considered... 2015, with the Lakers, he won two NBA championships in 2009 2010. To play the increased development of the most famous basketball players added 14 points Eli. | Dear basketball Kobe Bean Bryant was an effective if uninspiring pitcher, toiling for his fourth team than football! Near Jerome Avenue Olajuwon is one of the 1946-47 Knicks that the NBA began recognizing an All-Defensive team starting LaRusso! Toiling for his shooting ability and is considered one of the most prominent ones include Amare Stoudemire, Omri,! Super welterweight champion is also a rabbi his shooting ability and is considered one of the world Spira scored,! Of 16 many as the greatest Jewish players to pick up an basketball! Koufax has been described by many as the greatest Jewish players to pick up an NBA basketball ( WNBA.! To ensure that we give you the best three-point shooters in the first time, the. And Ella Longman added 10 to team starting in LaRusso 's final,...