Ex-New York Knicks Player Converts To Judaism — Joins Israeli Team

Smith, on the day that he moved to Israel. Image by Instagram/@chrissmith500

By Jeffrey Boxer December 7, 2017

Chris Smith on the New York Knicks. Image by Getty Images

The Jewish people have added an unlikely new member to the team — a pro basketball player whose journey took him from Catholic prep school to a cameo stint with the New York Knicks to Israel.

Chris Smith, the younger brother of Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith, converted to Judaism earlier this year, and made Aliyah in late November. He signed with the Ironi Nahariya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. The deal was first reported by David Pick

Smith, on the day that he moved to Israel. Image by Instagram/@chrissmith500

How did a graduate of Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School end up with a “Home is where the hummus is” sign? According to ESPN, it was Smith’s agent, Daniel Hazan, that helped him through the conversion process.

The 30-year-old has documented the journey on Instagram.

In early September, standing with Hazan in front of the Western Wall, Smith shared, “I’m am [sic] one of the tribe” with his 55,000 followers.

I’m am one of the tribe… #Jewish #Judaism #Torah ??✡️ @hazansportsmgmt

A post shared by Chris Smith (@chrissmith500) on Sep 5, 2017 at 9:02am PDT

In October, Smith posted several photos while sporting a Chai necklace. He was also spotted at a high school Yeshiva league game in New York.

@TheOnlyCSmith0 dropped by the Hive tonight for JV’s game! Chris played for @nyknicks in ‘13 and is the younger brother of @TheRealJRSmith pic.twitter.com/EEbxg1lZ9H

— SAR Sting Report (@StingReport) November 1, 2017

Smith appeared in two games for the Knicks during the 2013-14 season. After he was cut, J.R. Smith called the move a “betrayal.” He joined another Israeli club —Hapoel Galil Elyon — in 2016, but played just one game.

Jeffrey Boxer is the Deputy Digital at the Forward. Contact him at [email protected], or follow him on Twitter @jeffboxer.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. We’ve started our Passover Fundraising Drive, and we need 1,800 readers like you to step up to support the Forward by April 21. Members of the Forward board are even matching the first 1,000 gifts, up to $70,000.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism, because every dollar goes twice as far.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO