Religious Jewish Basketball Player Chaim Gelbot Joins Division 1 College Team at Duquesne University

Chaim Gelbot, a 19-year-old American-Jewish Orthodox basketball player, is making history by joining Duquesne University’s Division 1 basketball team this upcoming season. Gelbot will be the first player wearing a kippah and observing Shabbat to compete at this level since Tamir Goodman did so in Tucson in 2001. Standing 1.98 meters tall, Gelbot has gained attention for balancing his religious commitments with high-level collegiate basketball.

Gelbot has faced skepticism from both religious authorities and coaches who doubted his ability to maintain Torah study and athletic dedication simultaneously. He explained, "I am a basketball player and I am Jewish. Not one or the other. For me, there is no choice. Being both is what brought me here." Duquesne University has committed to accommodating his religious needs as much as possible, though Gelbot remains uncertain about the challenges ahead.

During a year spent in Israel, Gelbot met Ryan Turell, a former Yeshiva University star who played in the Detroit Pistons’ development league. Turell encouraged him to pursue his dream despite doubts from others. After visiting Duquesne last spring, Gelbot officially committed to the school, appreciating the rare opportunity it offered him.

Gelbot’s daily routine is rigorous, starting with morning prayers at 7:00 a.m., followed by breakfast, training, online classes, Talmud study, afternoon prayers, more practice, dinner, evening study, and concluding with night prayers at 10:00 p.m. He acknowledges the difficulty but remains motivated by his family’s motto to chase his dreams. Nicknamed the "Jewish Jordan" by some, Gelbot prefers to call himself the "Jewish Rodman," reflecting his focus on rebounding.

He anticipates challenges ahead, including missing games on Friday nights due to Shabbat observance, but is determined to embrace the journey. In a previous interview, Gelbot expressed his dream to sanctify God on the court, play in Israel and for the Israeli national team, and represent religious Jewish athletes. While he realistically does not expect the NBA, he believes in dreaming big.