Sacramento Kings Edge Brooklyn Nets in Summer League Thriller Featuring Israeli Players

The NBA Summer League opened last weekend with an Israeli showdown between Ben Sharaf of the Brooklyn Nets and Emanuel Sharp, making his debut for the Sacramento Kings. The Kings narrowly defeated the Nets 79-76 in a dramatic finish on Sunday night. With about four and a half minutes left, Brooklyn led 72-64, but Sacramento mounted a comeback, completing a 9-0 run to take the lead with 2:35 remaining. Sharaf responded with a successful drive to regain the lead for Brooklyn, and the teams exchanged baskets until the score was tied 76-76 with 30 seconds left. In a crucial moment, Sharaf drove to the basket but was blocked by Dylan Caldwell, during which Sharp appeared to pull his hand, though no foul was called. Six seconds before the final buzzer, Nick Clifford hit a game-winning three-pointer to secure Sacramento's victory in their first Summer League game.

Sharaf started for Brooklyn and finished with 10 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block in 27 minutes. Sharp, also a starter, contributed 13 points, three rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block in 32 minutes. Danny Wolf did not play for the Nets. Sharp, 22, recently completed a standout four-year college career at the University of Houston, averaging 15.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in his senior season. He was one of Houston's top shooters and defenders, hitting 37.2% from three-point range and 89.1% from the free-throw line.

Sharp is now the second Israeli player in Sacramento Kings history after Omri Casspi. Born and raised in Israel, Sharp is not considered a naturalized player for the Israeli national team and has already played for Israel’s youth teams. Holding Canadian citizenship through his mother, former basketball player Tina Allison, Sharp has the option to represent either Israel or Canada internationally but has expressed a desire to play for Israel’s senior national team.