Tamir Goodman Returns To Israel

Elliot Resnick writes for The Jewish Press:

Nova Southeastern University in Florida. "I’m extremely excited about this opportunity," Goodman told The Jewish Press, having spent his last season in the United States playing for the Premier Basketball League‘s Maryland Nighthawks. five years, again underperforming. Several knee injuries also plagued him throughout.

Tamir Goodman, the 26-year-old Orthodox Jewish basketball player who once seemed destined for stardom, is returning to Israel to play for the Maccabi Haifa Heat.

He signed during a two-day tryout at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. "I’m extremely excited about this opportunity," Goodman told The Jewish Press, having spent his last season in the United States playing for the Premier Basketball League’s Maryland Nighthawks.

Goodman became a media sensation in 1999 when the University of Maryland took note of his 35.4 points per game at Baltimore’s Talmudical Academy and offered him a scholarship despite his commitment never to play on Shabbat. Sports Illustrated dubbed him the "Jewish Jordan."

 
Tamir Goodman
 

However, soon afterward his career took a downturn. The University of Maryland ultimately could not accommodate Goodman’s Shabbat needs, and he signed with Towson University. After two disappointing seasons, Goodman moved to Israel where he played for four different teams over five years, againunderperforming.

Goodman, however, remains upbeat. "I feel like the most blessed person in the world. I’ve played in Division I basketball in the United States and in Israel without playing in Shabbos. I have two kids and coached 24,000 young people."

About Luke Ford

I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
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