The history of Jews in the NBA is not just a list of names, but a gradual, but relentless conquest of the league, which has become particularly evident in recent years.

Pioneers and Trailblazers

For a long time, the NBA remained a league where Jewish players were more of an exception. The first Israeli to pave the way for the league was Omri Casspi. In 2009, he was drafted by the Sacramento Kings and ultimately played in the NBA for ten seasons, representing seven different teams. His path was not easy, but he showed that an Israeli basketball player can establish himself in the strongest league in the world.

The Modern Wave: Brooklyn Nets and Beyond

The real breakthrough occurred in 2025. On the NBA draft, the Brooklyn Nets made a historic move, selecting two players with Israeli citizenship consecutively: Ben Saraf at number 26 and Danny Wolf at number 27. This was the first time since 2006 that two Jewish players were selected in the same draft.

Ben Saraf is a 19-year-old point guard, the son of former Israeli professional basketball players. He wears number 77, which symbolizes the Jewish word \"mazal,\" meaning luck.

Danny Wolf is a 20-year-old forward over two meters tall, born in Illinois but obtaining Israeli citizenship to play for the Israeli national team. He observes kosher and his bar mitzvah was at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Historic Game and New Records

The culmination of this wave was a game in March 2026, when three players with Israeli citizenship met on the court: Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf for the Nets against Denny Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers. This was an event of enormous importance for the Jewish community. Fans in kippahs and with Hebrew signs filled the Barclays Center, and Avdija called this night one of the happiest in his life.

Denny Avdija is another key figure in this story. In 2026, he became the first Israeli to be selected for the NBA All-Star Game.

Connection to the Hall of Fame and Converts to Judaism

Among those who have connected their lives to Judaism, Amar'e Stoudemire stands out. The legendary forward for the Phoenix Suns, a six-time All-Star, converted to Judaism in 2020. He played in Israel, became the champion there and the MVP of the final, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2026. His journey is an example of a deep personal connection to Jewish culture and tradition.

Also worth mentioning is Tal Brody, a legend of Israeli basketball, who became the first Israeli to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. He led Maccabi Tel Aviv to victory in the European Champions Cup in 1977 and delivered the historic phrase: we are on the map, and we will remain on the map.

Conclusion

Today, Jewish and Israeli players in the NBA are no longer isolated cases, but a forming community. From Omri Casspi's first step to the historic game with three Israelis on the court, the path has been long, but it has led to the Jewish presence in the league becoming noticeable and significant.

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