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SPORTSThursday 18 February 2016
Israel’s first NBA player Omri Casspi having breakout season
ARON HELLER In this Nov. 30, 2015, file photo, Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi, right, high-fives teammate “He understands the phi-
Associated Press losophy probably better
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Darren Collison after scoring during the Kings’ NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks than most of the guys,” Karl
When Omri Casspi was said. “For me, he’s come
13, his family took him on in Sacramento, Calif. back with such a great at-
a Bar Mitzvah trip to the titude toward the defen-
United States, the highlight Associated Press sive end of the court. He’s
of which was a visit to New been a pleasure to coach
York City where the Israeli formance against Golden reer. He wasn’t a blue chip coached Casspi at Mac- this year.”
youngster stood in front Karl noted how Casspi,
of Madison Square Gar- State in December. For the prospect like former Univer- cabi. “When everyone whose reputation used to
den and boldly vowed he be primarily as a slasher,
would one day play there. 6-foot-9 forward averaging sity of Connecticut stand- else is hanging out at the has seen his biggest im-
“It was more of an illusion. provement as a 3-point
I’m sure thousands of other career highs of 12.3 points out Doron Sheffer or Euro- beach, he is working on his shooter.
Israeli kids did the same “He’s worked at it to the
thing,” Casspi recalled, and 6.4 rebounds a game, league star Oded Katash, game and improving.” point where he’s, I think,
“but it’s a dream that shocked himself to be hon-
somehow came true.” it’s the culmination of a life- a pair of local prodigies After the Kings drafted him est with you. I don’t think
Eight years later, Casspi he could have thought he
captured his country’s long basketball journey. who most predicted would in the first round of the 2009 could be a 40, 40-some-
imagination by becoming thing (percent) 3-point
the first Israeli to have suc- “There are a lot of compo- be the first Israelis in the draft, he had a solid rook- shooter,” he said.
cess playing in the NBA. Goodes credits Karl for
Just being drafted, and nents (to success), it’s not NBA but couldn’t break ie season, averaging 10.3 shifting Casspi from small
suiting up, was consid- to power forward.
ered a moment of national something that happened through. Casspi was more points a game. But then his “Playing him at the four
pride in this sports-crazed gives him a lot more op-
country. But Casspi has overnight. It’s a process of of a natural athlete whose production steadily began tions to shoot the 3-pointer
persevered and now, in and put the ball on the
his seventh NBA season, years of work, of dedica- skills needed work before to drop and his NBA future floor and that is doing won-
the 27-year-old is having ders for him,” Goodes said.
a breakout season, aver- tion, of learning,” he said. he rose to stardom at Mac- came into question as he “He’s got a coach and a
aging career highs in min- team that believe in him
utes, points and rebounds “When I was younger I was cabi Tel Aviv, Israel’s most struggled through tough and he’s playing with a lot
and helping lead his Sac- of confidence.”
ramento Kings into the mix very raw. I had the poten- prominent club. times in Cleveland and While Casspi remains a role
of a tight playoff race that player in Sacramento, he’s
could mark the team’s first tial but I hadn’t worked on “What characterizes Omri Houston. The turnaround a star in Israel.
postseason appearance Others have been draft-
since 2006. it all yet ... my game is a lot is perseverance and dedi- began when he returned ed and guard Gal Mekel
His career year has already played very briefly for the
included a stint as the different now.” cation. Even when he goes to Sacramento last season Dallas Mavericks and New
top three-point percent- Orleans Pelicans, but Cass-
age shooter in the league Casspi’s renowned work through difficult stretches and found a permanent pi has remained the only
and an epic shootout with one to truly fulfil a national
Stephen Curry during a ethic has been a common he just doesn’t give up,” place in veteran coach obsession of reaching the
career-high 36-point per- NBA.q
theme throughout his ca- said Guy Goodes, who George Karl’s rotation.
Pistons acquire Harris from
Magic for Jennings, Ilyasova
NOAH TRISTER player, and he’ll be under off spot in the Eastern Con- Orlando Magic’s Tobias Harris (12) loses the ball as he goes to
AP Sports Writer team control for a while. ference, gave up its starting the basket against Los Angeles Clippers’ Lance Stephenson, left,
DETROIT (AP) — With a Harris signed a $64 million, power forward in Ilyasova. during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb.
playoff spot within reach four-year deal to stay with Jennings was the Pistons’ 5, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.
this year, the Detroit Pistons the Magic last summer, backup point guard, and
made a trade they hope when he was a restricted they could afford to part Associated Press
will benefit them both now free agent. “This is a move with him after making a
and in the future. The Pis- that can be looked at as long-term commitment to
tons acquired forward To- a long-term move, as one starter Reggie Jackson.
bias Harris from Orlando that will fit with our core Detroit hasn’t made the
on Tuesday in a deal that group of players, and we’ll postseason since 2009.
sent guard Brandon Jen- be able to keep them to- Bower said the Pistons were
nings and forward Ersan gether,” Detroit general interested in Harris when he
Ilyasova to the Magic. The manager Jeff Bower said. was a free agent, but his
23-year-old Harris gives De- Detroit, which is a half- restricted status made ac-
troit another athletic young game out of the final play- quiring him hard. q
