“Becoming the first Orthodox Jew in the NBA would be the greatest happiness” (Ryan Turell)
Ryan Turell, a 23-year-old Orthodox Jew from California, made his professional debut on Tuesday with the Detroit Motor City Cruise minor league basketball team (NBA 2nd division).
The 2.04-meter player who wore a blue yarmulke bearing his team’s logo, received a standing ovation during the last 3 minutes of the match he played.
“For all the young men and women of his faith, seeing Ryan perform on the pitch is inspiring: if he can do it, why can’t I?, they must say to themselves”, commented live the presenter of the match, during a timeout (pause) of the match.
Ryan Turell had signed up for the draft (selection by NBA teams of university players), after being voted top scorer in the third division university of the United States with his team at Yeshiva University, which had won 50 games in in a row.
He hadn’t been drafted by any NBA team, but in October the Cruises drafted him 27th overall in the U.S. minor league.
Ryan Turell said he was warmly welcomed by his new team who agreed to do everything possible to adapt to his religious observance. During the opening match of the season on Friday evening, he was staying not far from the place of the match to be able to get there on foot. The club also provided him with four kosher meals and a hot plate, in addition to arranging an after-Shabbat return for him alone.
Ryan Turell told ESPN in March that if picked by an NBA club, he would walk to games and practices scheduled for Shabbat and remain an observant Jew.
“Becoming the first Orthodox Jew in the NBA would be the greatest happiness and a dream come true, God willing,” he said.
