Former Elitzur Yavne Player Killed in Harlem Basketball Tournament Shooting

Kino Rushford, a former Elitzur Yavne basketball player, was fatally shot during a basketball tournament in Harlem on Saturday night. The 35-year-old was shot in the head while sitting on the bench at the Kingdom court behind a residential building on Lenox Avenue near 112th Street in West Harlem, part of the King Towers complex. The shooting occurred around 10:20 p.m. local time amid a large crowd attending the event.

Two others were injured in the incident: a 28-year-old man was shot in the calf, and a 22-year-old woman was hit in her right hand. Police have not yet determined whether Rushford was the intended target of the shooter. Rushford had played for Elitzur Yavne in 2014 in Israel's National League, averaging 21.3 points and 11.2 rebounds over 10 games.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, with authorities seeking to clarify the motive and identify the assailant. The basketball community mourns the loss of a notable player whose promising career was tragically cut short.