TORONTO – While the Sacramento Kings are off to only a .500 start at press time, it’s significant considering they only won 17 Pacific Division games in 2008/09. Small forward Omri Casspi, 21, is part of the reason for the team’s better start as he carries the hopes and dreams of a nation, being the first Israeli to play in the NBA.

Casspi – all 6 feet, 9 inches and 225 lbs. of him – was born and raised in Yavne, a suburb of Tel Aviv. He dabbled briefly in tennis and soccer, but focused on basketball by age eight.

“My mother Eilana played on the Israel national team and my older brother Eitan played on an Israeli club team,” said Casspi. “Along with always loving to compete, basketball became my favourite sport.”

Casspi turned pro in 2005 with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv in the Israel Premier League (IPL). His first international competition was at the 2005 U18 European Championships, averaging 14 points per game (PPG). Loaned to Hapoel Galil Elyon for the 2006/07 season (averaging 11.2 PPG), Casspi averaged 21.4 PPG and 7.1 rebounds) at the 2006 European U18 Championships. That same season he starting seeing NBA scouts at his games.

“I was very nervous the first time I saw scouts in the stands,” he said. “I became less nervous the next time I saw them and it was a very good experience when thinking back about it.”

He was returned to Maccabi the next season.

“Maccabi is one of the best known teams in Israel and Europe and it was a great thrill playing for them,” he said. “Every coach I had over the years in Israel helped my development, emphasizing different aspects of my game.”

Casspi picked up pointers from Maccabi’s former NBA contingent (Dee Brown, Carlos Arroyo and Marcus Brown). “They stayed late after practice to answer any questions I had, and increased my knowledge about playing in the best basketball league in the world.”

For Casspi, 2007 was a busy year. In April he scored 14 points for the World Select team at the Nike Hoop Summit in Memphis and averaged 17.9 PPG at the European U20 Championships.

In 2008/09 he averaged 12.8 PPG with Maccabi in 19 IPL games and 8.8 PPG in 16 Euroleague games.

“My last ever Maccabi game was special, as we played for the IPL championship,” he said. “We trailed by double digits in the second quarter and ended up winning by 13. I scored 15 points, with six rebounds.”

He finished fourth in 2008/09 FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award voting.

The June NBA Draft was an exciting time for Casspi, being with his family in Israel.
“Before the draft, I hoped and expected to be selected,” he said. “When Sacramento called out my name (their second 1st round pick and 23rd overall, having sent Ron Artest to Houston in a 2008 trade), it was the best moment of my life. A historic day for me and Israel all wrapped in one.”

He signed a three-year, entry-level contract in July.

Casspi takes the job of basketball, very seriously.

“I want people to recognize me for bringing lots of energy, working hard and doing whatever it takes for my team.”

His play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (averaging 8 PPG) was an adjustment in many ways. “It was the first time I was living on my own as well as facing top-rated young players in competitive action.”

He said his first day of Kings training camp was very exciting, “meeting new teammates and players. It took awhile to adjust to the pace and top skill levels of professional players and a new playing system.”

He played well in the preseason notching 22 points and 7 rebounds against Phoenix and 17 points versus Oklahoma City.

Casspi commended Kings head coach Paul Westphal for constantly urging him to be better and stronger during practices.

“Coach Westphal’s actions have helped me adjust to the NBA’s high level of play and intensity,” Casspi said. “I’m always working on my jump shot, dribbling, posting up, penetrating to the basket and shooting threes.”

Casspi had many thoughts in the dressing room before the Kings regular season opening game Oct. 28 in Oklahoma City.

“I had come a long way to achieve my dream of being in the NBA,” he said. I was “excited that my family and friends in Israel were going to watch me. I didn’t know what to expect, stepping onto the court.”

He came in during the first quarter, where his first NBA basket was a fadeaway jumper. In just over 19 minutes he went 7 of 9 in field goals and finished second in Kings scoring with 15 points in a 102-87 loss.

He said after the game that  “my stats didn’t matter, as we need to get better as a team and start winning.”

Casspi thrilled the soldout crowd in the Kings Nov. 2 home opener with another 15-point effort in a 127-116 win over Memphis. “I’ve received great support and help from the Sacramento Jewish community from the start. It’s great to see Israel flags and Hebrew signs waving back and forth at our Arco Arena.”

Casspi is averaging 8 PPG on 55.6% FG, 45% treys shooting, 3.2 rebounds per game and nearly 21 minutes a game in 9 of the Kings first 10 games. He achieved a No. 7 ranking in nba.com Top 10 Rookie Report in November for his first double-double – 12 points and 10 rebounds –  Nov. 8,  in a 120-107 Kings win over Golden State.

Israeli flags and Hebrew signs will undoubtedly be waving throughout the Air Canada Centre on Feb. 7 when Casspi and the Kings play the Toronto Raptors. He should be able to find his favourite food – hummus – in TO with little problem.

Jack Borenstein can be emailed at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it