NBA’s First Israeli Player Gets Warm Welcome in NYC

Photo by Ilan Klein

When the home team blows a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, you normally expect the arena to fill with boos from disappointed fans. On Tuesday night, Madison Square Garden had a very different vibe. Perhaps Knicks fans are just used to such embarrassing performances, or maybe it had to do with who was on the opposing team. Unless there is a huge Sacramento community in New York, fans were clearly excited by rookie Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA.

Dubbed “Jewish Heritage Night,” Israeli flags were scattered throughout the crowd and Knicks fans must have felt like visitors in their own stadium. Casspi was energized by the support, scoring 18 points in Sacramento’s overtime win. “This is not a regular game for me because there are a lot of Israelis and Jewish people in the crowd and my father came all the way from Israel to watch me,” said Casspi of his New York debut.

Among rookies, Casspi is fifth best in the league in points per game, and Jews and Israelis around the world are hoping his play leads to a Rookie of the Year award.

To read more about Jewish Heritage Night and Sacramento’s come from behind win, check out this article in The New York Times.

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