Growing up in North Carolina, basketball was a huge part of my childhood. I played driveway ball everyday after school with my neighbors and played for the Temple Israel team in the Church League. During the 70s and 80s, before we had pro teams in Charlotte, ACC college basketball players were our heroes. We went crazy in ’83 when NC State won the NCAA and Jimmy V raced around the court in celebration. When Jordan went from Carolina to the pros, we felt as if one of ours had shown that we truly were the best at the sport.

Last night, thanks to Jeff Rosen, owner of the Maccabi Haifa team, I finally had my chance to show off the skills learned on the Glankler’s driveway against the pros. After they took on the New Jersey Nets on Sunday, the Haifa team had an open scrimmage sponsored by a few Jewish organizations (thank you Metrowest Federation) and I got to play with Avi (pictured here) and the other guys. It was a great time — thank you to all involved!

p.s. Sylven Landsberg (no 13 in the first photo) played in the ACC for Virginia…here’s a massive dunk he threw down in his college days.