Best Jewish Basketball Players of All-Time
Continuing our religion in basketball series, we’ve previously covered and discussed the best Muslim basketball players in the NBA. Now focusing on Judaism, the Jewish faith is one of the most diverse and storied religions on the planet.
A relatively smaller religion, the worldwide Jewish population is just a bit over 15.2 million people. However, there are a number of popular, all-time great Jewish athletes representing the faith across a wide swath of sports leagues.
From Hank Greenberg, aka The Hebrew Hammer, to Oksana Baiul, a figure skating world champion, to Antonio Garay, a former profession football player in the NFL.
However, perhaps there is no greater representation of the Jewish faith than in the NBA. Below, we are going to review and discuss the best Jewish basketball players of all-time and discuss the impact they made on the game of basketball and the NBA.
What is Judaism?
Judaism, in addition to Christianity and Islam, is an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenant that God established with the Israelites. It is a religion which encompasses a wide body of texts, practices, theological positions, and forms of organization.
As the world’s oldest religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years ago, followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets. This God, according to Judaism, has established a special covenant, or agreement, with them.
Through practicing good and completing good deeds, believers will be rewarded whilst those who do not believe will be punished.
David Stern
Although technically not a basketball player, Stern’s influence on the NBA is worth an honorary mention. As the former commissioner of the National Basketball Association from 1984 to 2014, Stern oversaw and managed the explosive growth of the NBA into one of the world’s most popular and global sports.
He is credited with broadening and developing the NBA’s audience, specifically in international settings, by playing exhibition games, recruiting international players, and setting up training camps in international locations.
In addition, David Stern is credited with guiding the NBA to open 12 offices in cities outside the United States and to begin broadcasting to over 200 territories in over 40 languages. A proponent of both the WNBA and the NBA’s G League, he was also instrumental in setting up the NBA’s social responsibility program, NBA Cares.
David Stern was born in Manhattan, New York City to Anna and William Stern. He grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and his father ran a Jewish delicatessen in the Chelsea neighborhood. He attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate degree and attended Columbia Law School.
Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire is an American Israeli basketball coach and player. He currently serves as player development assistant for the Brooklyn Nets and was selected ninth overall in the 2002 NBA draft. Following his draft pick, Stoudemire would win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award with the Phoenix Suns.
Amar’e Stoudemire played for the Phoenix Suns, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Miami Heat before retiring from the NBA in 2016. He made a total of six appearances to the NBA All-Star Game and was named to the All-NBA Team five times.
Jordan Farmar
Jordan Farmar is also another Israeli American basketball player. While in high school, Farmar was named the Los Angeles Times High School Player of the Year in 2003-04. Having played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, he was selected 26th overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers, Farmar would win two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
Dolph Schayes
Born to Romanian-Jewish immigrants, Dolph Schayes was born in the Bronx, New York to Tina and Carl Schayes. A top scorer and rebounder, Schayes was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Syracuse Nationals in 1955.
Dolph Schayes was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and one of the 75 players named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. In addition, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973.
Having played his entire career with the Nationals, his 16-year career saw him lead the team to 15 playoff appearances. After retiring from play, Schayes would stay on to coach the team, earning him NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1966.
Danny Schayes
The son of Dolph Schayes, Danny Schayes is a former basketball player who played college basketball for Syracuse University before playing 18 seasons in the NBA. At 6’11” and 235 pounds, Danny Schayes played the center position.
Danny Schayes was selected to the NBA in the first round with the 13th overall pick by the Utah Jazz. In his 18 years in the league, Danny Schayes played for the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and Orlando Magic. He currently serves as a co-host of Centers of Attention, a sports talk show on ESPN Radio Syracuse.
Omri Casspi
A former Israeli professional basketball player, Omri Caspi played both the small and power forward positions. He was drafted 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, making him the first Israeli to be selected in the first round of an NBA draft.
In addition, with his playing debut with the Sacramento Kings in 2009, Casspi would become the first Israeli to play in an NBA game. As a rookie, Casspi was selected to play in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge.