James Feldeine Retires from Basketball at 38 After 16-Year Career

Former Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Galil Elyon player James Feldeine announced his retirement from professional basketball on Friday at the age of 38. After a 16-year career, Feldeine, who had three stints in Israel, shared his farewell message on social media.

"Thank you basketball," Feldeine wrote in his post. "I am officially retiring from the game that has given me so much in life. From the beginning, it gave me happiness I couldn't find anywhere else. It was my safe place. I grew up on tough streets in New York and never imagined the places this sport would take me, the people I would meet, and the experiences I would have."

Feldeine began his professional career in 2010 after going undrafted, starting in Spain. He played for Panathinaikos and Crvena Zvezda before his first stint in Israel with Hapoel Jerusalem from 2017 to 2020. He also played in Spain, Kuwait, and Italy before joining Hapoel Tel Aviv and later Galil Elyon.

For the last three years, Feldeine played in Uruguay, where in his final season he averaged 13.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He thanked everyone who was part of his journey, emphasizing that the memories, lessons, and passion for the game will remain with him. He also encouraged young people to persevere and chase their dreams, citing himself as an example of overcoming distractions.