The Yemenite Giant and the Death of Stalin

How the demise of the Soviet dictator changed the history of basketball in Israel and gave my father’s famed jump shot an unexpected role in Cold War politics

By Danielle Ofri · November 13, 2019

United States

Requiem for a Yeshiva Basketball Player

Nearly two decades after their prime, a group of former athletes take on younger players and their own illustrious past

By Aaron Kaplowitz · July 18, 2019

The Scroll

The (Yeshiva) Basketball Diaries

In light of YU’s historic appearance in the NCAA Division III finals, remembering my own days playing hoops for the Mighty Mites

By David Hershkovits · March 13, 2018

The Scroll

In One of the Most Unlikely Jewish Sporting Feats Ever, Yeshiva University Wins Basketball Conference Championship

The team will now compete in the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time in school history

By Yair Rosenberg · February 26, 2018

The Scroll

Let Omri Casspi Guide Your New Year’s Resolutions

The first Israeli in the NBA is proof that you can change, with a little help from your friends

By Liel Leibovitz · January 2, 2018

The Scroll

The Best Chanukah Sports Movie

Today on Jewcy: Looking back on ‘Full Court Miracle.’

By Esther Saks · December 12, 2017

The Scroll

How American Players Transformed Israeli Basketball

Today on Jewcy: A look at ‘Alley-Oop to Aliyah: African American Hoopsters in the Holy Land.’

By Alexandra Pucciarelli · November 1, 2017

The Scroll

Israeli-born T.J. Leaf Is Ready to Play Ball in the NBA—and Make History

The 6’10” forward from UCLA is projected to go in the first round of Thursday’s NBA Draft in Brooklyn

By Amir Bogen · June 21, 2017

The Scroll

Amar’e Stoudemire Says He’d Go Out of His Way to Avoid a Gay Teammate

The former NBA All-Star is stirring up controversy in Israel

By Jonathan Zalman · March 1, 2017

The Scroll

Hope Springs Fraternal

Israeli NBA player Omri Casspi is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans with his friend, DeMarcus ‘Boogie’ Cousins

By Armin Rosen · February 21, 2017

The Scroll

Shaq Dances the Hora

There’s lots to be stressed out about. So take a minute to watch a 7-foot basketball legend dance the dance of love and celebration and happiness.

By Jonathan Zalman · November 15, 2016

The Scroll

Amar’e Stoudemire Calls it a Career

The 6’10” big man and maybe-Jew has announced his retirement. In the end, he’ll go down as a New York Knick

By Jesse Bernstein · July 27, 2016

The Scroll

Israeli Swingman Shawn Dawson Eyes the NBA

The Maccabi Rishon LeZion star has been invited to join the Washington Wizards Summer League team. Can he defy odds and make the pros?

By Armin Rosen · June 23, 2016

The Scroll

LeBron Cries After Willing Cavs to NBA Title. Somewhere, David Blatt Is Crying Too.

‘There is no doubt that LeBron was more important to the system than me’

By Jonathan Zalman · June 20, 2016

The Scroll

David Blatt Gets a Job in Turkey

According to a report, Blatt has been hired as coach of Turkish club Darussafaka. His former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, begin their NBA finals bid Thursday night.

By Jonathan Zalman · June 1, 2016

Visual Art & Design

Mike Packer, the Jewish Sneaker King of Teaneck, N.J.

As the NBA conference finals kick off, this tastemaker, collaborator, and doyen knows what the fans want on their feet

By Yaron Weitzman · May 17, 2016

The Scroll

‘Broad City’ Ballers

Abbi and Ilana hit the club, hit the bottle, and get busy

By Sara Ivry · March 31, 2016

The Scroll

Nate Robinson’s Half-court Prayer Is Answered in ‘Gadol’ Israel Debut

By making it rain buckets, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s newest player showed fans in Israel why he had such a successful career in the NBA

By Jonathan Zalman · March 21, 2016

The Scroll

High-Flying NBA Journeyman Nate Robinson Bringing His Talents to Israel

Members of the Israeli basketball club Hapoel Tel Aviv were amped when Robinson, who was known in the NBA for his instant offense, arrived at Ben Gurion airport

By Rose Kaplan · March 18, 2016

The Scroll

The Basketball Victory That Put Israel ‘On The Map’

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s win over the mighty Red Army team in the 1977 EuroCup Semifinals, bookended by an unforgettable quote from its star, Tal Brody, is the subject of a new documentary

By Becky Griffin · March 17, 2016

The Scroll

Identity Politics on the Court

‘Where does David Blatt end and Jewishness begin?’

By Bethlehem Shoals · January 26, 2016

The Scroll

Rule Forces Maccabi Tel Aviv to Become Bricklayers

A EuroLeague affair hinged on an aggregate rule turned into an ugly push for overtime

By Jonathan Zalman · December 18, 2015

The Scroll

Basketball Legend Dolph Schayes Dies at 87

The greatest Jewish cager

By Jonathan Zalman · December 11, 2015

The Scroll

Does the Bible Predict a Victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Good Book praises Blatt, LeBron

By Liel Leibovitz · June 10, 2015

The Scroll

How Long Does It Take NBA Coaches To Win Their First Title?

Rookie head coaches Blatt and Kerr eye a championship

By Jonathan Zalman · June 5, 2015

The Scroll

Celtics Need Auerbachian Lift

Back in Boston and down 2-0 to the Cavs, the men in green should draw inspiration from the man who took the Celtics franchise to the apex of the NBA

By Jonathan Zalman · April 23, 2015

The Scroll

Can Cleveland Rock?

Blatt, ‘King’ Seek NBA throne, face upstart Boston in first round

By Jonathan Zalman · April 16, 2015

Sports

The Knicks Are the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict of Basketball

In both Madison Square Garden and the Promised Land, there’s something instructive about watching men battle despair

By Liel Leibovitz · January 9, 2015

The Scroll

New Orleans Pelicans Waive Gal Mekel

The NBA’s second Israeli player is left without a team once again

By Stephanie Butnick · December 19, 2014

The Scroll

NBA’s Gal Mekel Signs With New Orleans

Israeli point guard was dropped by the Dallas Mavericks in October

By Raphael Gellar · December 8, 2014