In Israel, sports are given much attention wherein they made different institutions and associations to train well talented athletes and to develop and encourage new players to get exposure.
Since Israeli had these institutions they created and developed the skills of their athletes and some of their famous basketball players are included to the NBA Draft.
Omri Mosche Casspi
Omri Cassspi became the number 18 of the Sacamento Team after being selected in 2009 NBA Draft, making him the first Israeli to be drafted at the first round, 23rd overall and the first Israeli to play the NBA game with his debut in 2009.
Casspi can hit open jump-shots from 16-17 feet and is a solid 3 point shooter . he is quick, possesses great body control, good finisher under the basket, his toughness and size makes him solid at the defence end competitive player who plays with a great amount of energy every time he steps on the court.He has been awarded at the Euroleague Champion in 2005, BSL Champion: 2005, 2006, 2009, BSL State Cup in 2005, BSL Sixth Man of the Year in 2008, All BSL Team in 2009, NBA All-Star Rookie Team 2010.
Yotam Halperin
Yotam Halperin is an Israeli professional basketball player born in January 24, 1984. He plays a position of a combo guard with 1.96m in height and presently playing with the Greek League club Olympiacos. He was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round draft, 53rd overall in 2006 NBA Draft.
Strengths of Halperin includes his ability to change speeds quickly and show an extra gear on his 2nd and 3rd step that most would not anticipate, known for his tremendous jump-shots, can make quick decisions with the ball in his hands, changing directions, and great body control.
He won awards in Fiba Under-21 world championship all-star 2005, All-Euroleague second team 2008 and a member of the Israeli national basketball team.
Lior Eliyahu
Lior Eliyahu is an Israeli professional basketball player and has been more popular in Israel when he was selected by the Orlando Magic on June 28, 2006. He was drafted 44th overall in 2006 NBA Draft. He is 2.07 m (6 ft 9 ½ in) in height and he weighs 102 kg (225 pounds). He currently plays as a power forward position, but he can also play small forward. Eliyahu’s NBA Draft rights are owned by the Houston Rockets while he is presently playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv wherein he signed a five year contract.
Eliyahu has an excellent wingspan and big hands that is listed as an advantage in handling the ball. Good quickness, foot speed, can hit the three pointer and is intelligent in moving of the ball are some of the strengths of Eliyahu that made him famous in and out the court.
Eliyahu is a member of the senior Israeli national basketball team. He played at the EuroBasket 2007 and the EuroBasket 2009. He was the first Israeli to be named the MVP of the Euroleague for the month of December 2008. His other accomplishments include the awarding of his team by FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in 2005 as All-Tournament Team and being the EuroChallenge All-Star in 2006.
Return from Famous Players in Israel to Basketball In Israel
Return from Famous Players in Israel to Best Basketball Tips