16 Days

In Israel, the most popular sports are soccer and basketball. As Americans, it might be hard for some of us to relate to the former. Basketball, though—that’s an American pastime. I mean, it’s hard to be a New Yorker these days and still care for the sport (the Bill Bradleys of yesteryear have gone into politics), but Israeli basketball is still thriving, both domestically and in the Euroleague. In fact, this year we finally got to watch Omri Casspi, Israel’s first Israeli-born NBA star light up the NBA.

Casspi made a name for himself in Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel’s winningest and most popular basketball club. They were founded in the 1930s, and when the Israeli Basketball League was founded in 1954 they won the first championship. They’ve won 48 national championships at home in Israel, and their first European championship came in 1977 under coach Ralph Klein, soon followed in 1981.

Maccabi Tel Aviv wowed audiences around Israel and Europe on October 16, 2005, when they beat the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. It was not only their first win in 21 years over an NBA team, and not only the first win over an NBA team by any Euroleague team in 17 years—it was also the first “European” (I know, I know, but it makes as much sense as the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association) win over an NBA team on North American soil. Ever. Anthony Parker won the game for Israel with 0.8 seconds left, for a narrow 105-103 victory.

Anthony Parker is an interesting fellow. With Maccabi he won five Israeli Super League national championships, five Israeli National Cups, two Euroleague titles, one Suproleague title, and was voted two-time consecutive Euroleague Most Valuable Player. After returning to the NBA as a free agent in 2006, Parker established himself as the Toronto Raptors' starting shooting guard, as well as one of the better three point shooters and perimeter defenders in the league. He was signed with the very same team, the Raptors, that he showed up with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He loved Maccabi Tel Aviv so much, he even returned to them after a brief stint playing for an Italian team. In fact, according to Wikipedia:

‘He went on to wear jersey number 18 for both Toronto and Cleveland, explaining that: "I played in Israel before I came back to the NBA, and I had such a great time... two of my sons were born while I was playing overseas and one was actually born in Israel. And I just had such a great experience that I wanted to take something from that experience. The number 18, in Judaism, it means 'chai'... and it's the symbol for life and good fortune in Judaism. And I thought that was something to take away from Israel and let them know I'm still representing them."^’

^{Almost makes me wanna start watching basketball again…}

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Come see Omri Casspi at the Salute to Israel Parade on Sunday, May 23rd! Omri will be an Honorary Grand Marshall along with Yuri Foreman, first Israeli Boxing Champion and Adi Neumann, Israeli model. Don't miss it.... we want to see you there!