Omri Casspi becomes 1st Israeli taken in 1st round of NBA draft with 23rd pick by Kings

Casspi 1st Israeli taken in 1st round of NBA draft

JERUSALEM — The news of Israeli basketball player Omri Casspi’s selection in the NBA draft set off a major celebration in his home country.

Casspi, a 2.06-meter (6-foot-9), 20-year-old forward with Maccabi Tel Aviv, was taken by the Sacramento Kings with the 23rd pick in draft on Thursday night.

It’s the first time an Israeli has been selected in the first round of the draft and guarantees Casspi a two-year contract that will likely pave the way for him to also become the first Israeli to ever play in the NBA.

Three Israelis have been selected before in the second round, but none have made the cut.

The Sport 5 television channel broadcast the draft live from 2:30 a.m. Friday local time — posting a camera in the living room of Casspi’s parents in the city of Yavne and capturing his emotional reaction to the pick.

“I can’t speak,” Casspi said, tears pouring down his face. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life … I’m as happy as can be. We made history. I feel like I am in a dream.”

Casspi led Maccabi Tel Aviv to a league championship this past year, averaging 12.6 points per game, and was named to the all-league team. He also starts for the Israel national basketball team.

The idea of getting a homebred player in the NBA has become something of a national obsession in Israel.

University of Connecticut standout Doron Sheffer was chosen in the second round of the 1996 draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, but opted to return home when he wasn’t guaranteed a contract.

In 1999, Oded Katash agreed to a two-year contract with the New York Knicks but never played because of the extended player lockout that year, and he returned to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

In the 2006 draft, Israelis Lior Eliyahu and Yotam Halperin were chosen by the Houston Rockets and the Seattle SuperSonics, respectively. Neither has ever played a game in the NBA.

However, Casspi’s first-round selection all but guarantees that he will suit up for the Kings in the near future.

Casspi said he will depart on Saturday to meet with Kings officials and finalize his contract. He told Sport 5 that the Kings asked him what number he would like to wear. He said he chose to stay with his Maccabi number — 13.

“Anytime you fulfill a dream a new one arises,” he said, as friends poured champagne on his head. “I’m in a great place now and the goal is to become a legitimate NBA player.”

After a few hours sleep, Casspi held a press conference in Tel Aviv to address the huge media interest his selection has generated in Israel.

Facing reporters, Casspi said he felt “on top of the world” and was looking forward to representing Israel in the NBA and paving the path for others to follow in the future.

“It is a dream come true for me. It is a great day for me and my family and Israeli basketball,” he said. “I spoke to the (Kings) president, general manager and coach and I will speak to them today. They said they believe in me and they want me on the team. I think this is an excellent place for me to start my NBA career.”

The Kings went 17-65 last season, for the worst record in the NBA. Casspi will join a team that will likely include another former Maccabi Tel Aviv player — Slovenian guard Beno Udrih.