Brooklyn Nets Welcome Israeli Rookies
The Brooklyn Nets have made headlines by featuring rookies Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf, marking them as the first NBA team to have two Israelis on their roster.
This Saturday’s game against Hapoel Jerusalem is certainly expected to draw attention—though, perhaps not always for the best reasons, given the ongoing tensions.
With the anger surrounding the conflict in Gaza, there’s potential for protests outside Barclays Center. Still, both Wolf and Saraf aim to stay focused on their debut and not let outside distractions affect their performance.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much it,” Wolf mentioned when asked about handling the distractions. “I can control my game, and that’s where my focus lies. Whatever happens outside is out of my hands.” He emphasized the importance of keeping their attention on the game.
This will be Brooklyn’s second time hosting an Israeli team in just three years. Saraf noted that he’s familiar with many players from the opposing side.
Wolf, aged 21, holds both US and Israeli citizenship. Saraf, who is 19, was born in South Africa but spent most of his life in Israel. Neither player is serving in the Israeli military, although reports indicate that Saraf’s sister is currently enlisted.
The ongoing military actions overseas, along with the presence of Barclays’ Israeli team, may indeed inspire some protests outside the arena.
“We’re prepared for anything,” a security official for the Nets commented. “We’re treating this like any preseason event, but, you know, we’re ready for unpredictability.”
While the UN Human Rights Commission has remarked on Israel’s military actions, labeling them as genocide, there’s talk about international sports organizations possibly considering bans on Israeli teams.
On another note, rookie Drake Powell, hampered by a knee tendon issue, won’t be participating against Hapoel Jerusalem but is expected to debut next week at the NBA China Games in Macau.
Lastly, coach Jordi Fernandez is still evaluating the status of Egor Demin, who is recovering from plantar fascia injuries, and has yet to give a clear timeline for his return.
