College basketball fans around the country will be thrilled with not just one University team heading to the Holy Land but two as Arizona and Kansas State will be both make their way on a “Birthright for College Basketball” trip with Athletes For Israel and Complete Sports Management. Last year Bruce Pearl’s Auburn was the first school to take in what Israel has to offer from the holy sites to the culture of the land and now AFI has doubled that with a pair of Wildcats arriving for what will no doubt be a trip of a lifetime.

Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang spent some time with The Sports Rabbi ahead of his team’s journey across the ocean and discussed what he along with his squad would like to gain from the experience, which players the fans here in Israel will get to see when Kansas State plays the Israel Select team on Tuesday August 15th at Hadar Yosef in Tel Aviv along with why he decided to take this exiting trip.

“Every four years the NCAA allows Division I schools to take a foreign tour and originally we were working on plans to go to Greece,” Coach Tang began from his office in Manhattan, Kansas. “But CSM and Lea Miller approached us along with Daniel Posner and Athletes For Israel which gave us a proposal to come to Israel and it was really a no brainer to come. Lea and Daniel do a great job with this program and AFI really does fabulous work by uniting community through sports and that resonates with who I am.”

“From there I spoke to Coach Pearl several times and he has been very generous with his time. He shared his and his team’s experiences and reasons for going and he’s spoken to our team and his players did Zoom calls with ours which was super helpful. I feel part of a new family and happy to be able to promote Israel and what it has to offer educationally and culturally.”

Coach Tang who was named as the 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year explained that he has three goals in mind as to what he wants to get out of this trip for his entire team and they look to jell ahead of the upcoming college basketball season.

“We want every player to come back from this journey and feel that they would be a contributor to our team and not enter the portal. That the team and staff group represent Kansas State University at the highest level that the people of Israel would want to invite us back as we show them our class, integrity and character. We want to make sure to have a lot of good times and absorb the education and cultures that we encounter.”

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, the 56-year old Tang is looking forward to seeing what he has learned about his endure life as a practicing Christian, “I’m a devout Christian and a reader and student of the Bible and history and I’m excited to walk the places where Jesus walked and see the places I’ve only been able to read about. I’m looking forward to being Baptized in the Jordan River, float in the Dead Sea and see the city of Jerusalem and learn about how the 3 different religions interact on such a small area. As it says in the New Testament, “A small rudder guides a big ship” and Israel may be a small country but makes a big impact in the world.”

As for the players, they are all excited to play basketball which they will do against the Israel Select Team, but Coach Tang has made sure that his squad is as educated as possible before stepping foot in the Holy Land by learning first hand about the three major religions in the country.

“The guys are really excited about the basketball. But we also had a leader from the Jewish community come speak to the guys who shared information with us about the Jewish faith and that everything goes back to Father Abraham. We had someone from the Christian religion that had everything go back to Father Abraham and someone from the Muslim religion that also goes back to Father Abraham. We are learning and exploring every educational opportunity out there.”

“For me the great thing about faith is about loving everybody and that’s what excited me about bringing the three religions together through sports. I’m not sure what will be the most exciting thing that each player will experience but I hope their faith grows. Many of the things that is shared about Israel is not reality and I want us all to see the country first hand and tell great stories about the wonderful time we had with their families.”

Coming to Israel always raises some eyebrows and elicits concern due to the ever evolving security situation. While Coach Tang has some concerns, he also wants to see first hand the situation on the ground.

“There were some things that were portrayed with issues in Jerusalem that concerned me and I brought it to the staff and administration. It wasn’t anything that would have led us to cancel the trip but it raised a concern. But we spoke to multiple security people who shared their thoughts with us which calmed our nerves as they explained that it can be portrayed one way or another and we have been assured that we will be in safe places with the best security. I’m excited to see it for myself and form my own opinions. The biggest thing with us is the wives and what they need to wear, to be proper and with the right etiquette in each situation to respect everyone.”

Prior to arriving at Kansas State, Coach Tang was a mainstay at Baylor University where he was an assistant between 2003-2017 and then was named as the associate head coach from 2018 through 2022 while winning the 2021 NCAA Championship along the way before making his way to Manhattan. While at Baylor, Tang worked with a number of players who would eventually go on to careers in Israel. One of those players was Curtis Jerrells who helped Hapoel Jerusalem win the 2017 Israeli League title while becoming one of the fan favorites.

“Curtis is one of my favorites and was one of the first to commit to us at Baylor. He led us for four years in scoring and assists, but more than that he’s a great human being and a terrific basketball player, leader and teammate. When we played in Austin he came to the game and cheered us on and I’m proud he called me coach. LaceDarius Dunn who was the all-time leading scorer was also a player to play in Israel. The guys would send me pictures from their apartment windows in Tel Aviv and it was incredible to be able to see the beach right there. Tel Aviv is an amazing city and it will be a great opportunity to visit one of the great technological capitals of the world.”

Tang’s current players at Kansas State will be ready to thrill the fans when they tip-off against the Israel Select Team on Tuesday August 15th at Hadar Yosef and the head coach broke down who some of his stars are as they ready for action.

“Nae’Qwan Tomlin is a returning senior that had tested the NBA waters as the teams are intrigued by how he runs like a guard, dribbles like a guard and I’m certain the fans will enjoy the energy that he brings to the game. Cam Carter started every game last season and I expect him to be most improved player in Big 12 this coming season. We also have a couple of transfers including Arthur Kaluma who is an NBA like versatile forward and can play anywhere on the court along with being a smart player and tough kid. Tylor Perry is another transfer who is a dynamic point guard and can play on and off of the ball. He’s got the ability to shoot the three and last season went for 43% from deep while being super efficient. We’re looking forward to playing basketball and the fans that come out will love these guys.”

One of the great parts about playing in Israel for the Kansas State players is that in the future they may call the Holy Land home should they take their talents abroad as many college players do when they turn pro. Tang has made sure to make that message loud and clear as he understand that a good showing both on and off the court could end up being crucial down the road for their livelihoods.

“We’ve made it a point to express to the guys that it’s important for their careers and the fact that there will be clubs taking a look and watching them play. They want good people first and foremost who show respect and will be judged on how they conduct themselves which could open or close doors. The guys have an opportunity to showcase themselves and while everyone wants to play in the NBA, it’s so few that get the chance.”

Finally, on the flip side of the coin Tang hopes that he can perhaps find a diamond in the rough and open up a pipeline of talent that may see a young Israeli or two head to Kansas State to play college hoops, “I hope to have a chance to see some prospects either on or off of the court. Kansas State University in Manhattan is a terrific place that any kid would enjoy.”