The National Basketball League (NBA) hosted one of their junior drafts yesterday in Tel Aviv. The NBA sponsored initiative brings young athletes together for an exciting mock draft event. Representatives from 30 boys teams, and 12 girls teams were there, and each one drew the name of a NBA or WNBA team. The event, which has taken place annually for years around the world, was the first one to include the WNBA junior draft.

In attendance for the junior draft was the first Israeli to ever play in the NBA, Omri Casspi, as well as two time European basketball champion, olympian, and basketball hall of famer, Dino Radja. Both spent part of their careers in the NBA. Omri Casspi, who retired just last season played with the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Although Casspi was waived from the Warriors in the middle of the 2017-2018 season due to injury, he still received a championship ring when the Warriors won the NBA championships. Casspi returned to play in Israel for Maccabi Tel Aviv before announcing his retirement in 2021.

Dino Radja, who played in the late 80’s and 90’s, mostly in Europe, spent four seasons with the Boston Celtics from 1993-1997. Radja admitted that playing in Europe then moving to America to play in the NBA, occasionally required some adjustments because “there were much stronger guys that you play against every day, the game was much faster, and you have to think faster.”

Unlike Casspi who splits his time between the United States and Israel, Radja came to Israel just for a visit, “I have a lot of good memories here, I have played here many times, and have had a lot of tough battles with Maccabi. I feel great here, always have, and it’s a pleasure being here.”

During the event, the young athletes from all over Israel were starstruck and dazzled with excitement as they got to share an afternoon with the two basketball superstars. Radja noted the importance of events like this saying, “anything you do for the kids is important, they are the ones we leave the world to, and if we can share our love of basketball with them then I think it’s great. In my life, basketball has been a wonderful sport and I want to share it, especially with the kids.” Radja’s final piece of advice to all of the children eagerly listening was “keep your dreams, work hard, and only hard work will take you somewhere.”

Casspi also stated that, “It’s a great thing to wear an NBA jersey. Deni Avdija plays every night and you can see him as well. It’s possible for every boy and girl to dream about playing in the WNBA and the NBA. I hope we continue to improve and expand men’s and womens basketball in Europe and in general.” Casspi ended by remarking how, “clearing your head and playing basketball during these times is just as important to keep a normal type of lifestyle.”

The event represents the NBA’s desire to expand the league and the game of basketball to reach kids from all over the world. Casspi and Radja’s presence at the junior draft instilled excitement and hope in the kids that hopefully one day, they too could play in the NBA.