Historic Breakaway
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
‘We made history. I feel like I am in a dream,” Israeli basketball player Omri Casspi said June 25, when he was picked by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft, held at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Casspi became the first Israeli basketball player to be selected in the first round of the draft, guaranteeing him a multiyear NBA contract. Picked 23rd, he was the fourth international player drafted this year.
Only a handful of Israeli players have ever come close to playing in the NBA. Most recently, Lior Eliyahu and Yotam Halperin were tapped in the second round of the draft in 2006; however, neither player made his respective team, and both left the States to play for European teams.
The 21-year-old Casspi had originally submitted his name in last year’s draft, but he dropped out at the last minute. He instead returned to Israel to help lead his former squad, Maccabi Tel Aviv, to the 2008-09 league championship. He also has played on the all-league team and the Israeli national squad.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
