Omri Casspi, born in Holon in 1988 and raised mostly in Yavne, is best known as the first Israeli to reach the NBA, but his career reached far beyond basketball. On the occasion of his 38th birthday, the article revisits 10 defining moments in the life of one of Israel’s most influential athletes.
Casspi stood out from an early age on the court. After starting in Elitzur Yavne and Maccabi Rishon LeZion, he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth system at age 13. His family also had a security background, his father served as a fighter in YAMAM, Israel Police’s elite counterterror unit.
In 2009, Sacramento selected him 23rd overall in the NBA draft, making him the first Israeli to play in the league. He quickly drew attention in his rookie season and at one point was ranked No. 1 among rookies by ESPN. Over a decade in the NBA, he played for seven teams and shared the court with stars including Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
Even after being released by the Golden State Warriors before the playoffs because of injury, he received an NBA championship ring as recognition for his contribution during the season. In 2015, he was named captain of the Israel national team and became a major symbol of Israeli basketball internationally. After returning to Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2019, severe cartilage damage in his knee ended his comeback attempts and led to his retirement in 2021.
Since leaving the game, Casspi has moved into business and investing, becoming a venture capital investor. In 2025, he was chosen to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, another landmark in a remarkable career.
