Imagine having to shoulder the weight of an entire country. A country where basketball is the second most popular sport, trailing only soccer. A country where you are the first citizen to ever lace up a pair of shoes in the N.B.A. A country where for the first time, N.B.A. fans finally have a hero to look up to. A King in fact. This is the reality for Israeli born player Omri Casspi.

In this year's N.B.A. draft, Casspi was drafted 23rd overall by the Sacramento Kings. Playing at the Small Forward position, Casspi has so far had a remarkable rookie season in a league where foreign players usually need a couple of years to adjust. Averaging 12.2 points per game and 4.8 rebounds, Casspi has become an instant fan favourite on the young and exciting Kings and alongside fellow team mate and rookie, Tyreke Evens, will represent the Kings at this year’s All Star Weekend in the Rookie Challenge.

Casspi's season might come as a surprise to many. Coming from Israel’s most successful basketball club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Casspi has the credentials to back up the selection, which include being a key player on a championship team in 2009 and being awarded the Israeli League Sixth Man of the Year trophy for the 2008-2009 season. However, even with his background, talent and desire to succeed in the N.B.A. the results have been remarkable. As of December, Casspi has been ranked 3rd in the Rookie of the Year discussion by ESPN.com behind teammate Evens and Milwaukee Bucks Brandon Jennings, both of which were drafted in the top 10.

Shalom Life had a chance to speak to Casspi before the Kings game versus the Toronto Raptors on February 7th:

SL: How has your adjustment been to the NBA?

OC: It's been pretty good, you know. I had to make an adjustment on the court and off the court, obviously coming from a different country to a new city, new town, new house. Leaving all my family and friends in Israel and on the court, obviously this is the best league in the world with the best players, so I had to make quick adjustments to be able to play here.

SL: How does it feel knowing that you're the first Israeli playing in the NBA?

OC: It's a good feeling. It was never a goal to be the first Israeli player. Since I was young I dream about the NBA and it was a big dream for me and I'm just happy that I accomplished it and to represent me and my family and Israel.

Read the rest at the source: http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/4946/A_Conversation_with_a_King/

www.shalomlife.com

A glimpse into the bravery of the past, a Toronto Raptors player shares his family history with ShalomLife.

Shalom Life was in attendance at the Toronto Raptors-LA Lakers game on Sunday, January 24th and was able to speak to Marco Belinelli, the high energy Italian import who was traded to the Raptors in the off season and had just come off a wonderful game in a win against the Lakers.

Belinelli was able to confirm a story which is little known but of great interest to the Jewish community. During the Holocaust, Belinelli's grandparents, who at the time were living in France, risked their own lives to help save those of French Jews. They helped hide and transport them out of France and into safety.

CTN'd at the source.

Source: http://www.shalomlife.com/eng/4228/Raptors_Player%27s_Family_Helped_Jews_During_Holocaust/