First Orthodox Jewish player enters 2022 NBA draft

Ryan Turell gives up his eligibility for another college basketball season, and wishes to become the first Jewish Orthodox player in the best basketball league in the world; 'playing in the NBA will be a dream come true' he says

ONE|Updated:03.15.22 | 19:20

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Yeshiva University's Orthodox star player Ryan Turell will enter the 2022 NBA draft which is scheduled for June 23.
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Turell gave up his eligibility for another college basketball season to enter the draft and possibly become the first Jewish Orthodox player in the NBA. 
2 View gallery 
Yeshiva University's Ryan Turell (11) dribbles the ball down court 
(Photo: AP)
"My main goal is to play professional basketball next year," he said. Turell is the lead scorer in college basketball across all divisions, averaging 27.1 points per game, with a 47% accuracy rate. 
His team won 50 consecutive games from November 2019 to December 2021, and he will leave as the lead scorer in the history of Yeshiva University, with more than 2,000 points.
Turell wears a skullcap when he plays and said he plans to continue doing so as a professional player.
"Being the first Orthodox Jew in the NBA will be a dream come true for me, Baruch Hashem. But, not less important, it would also motivate people around  the world who didn't think this is an option."
2 View gallery 
Ryan Turell 
(Photo: Yeshiva University's Instagram page)
Turell is being followed by some  NBA teams this season, with several owners, managers, and former players coming to games at Washington Heights to watch him.
“I know NBA teams came to see me. My coach used to tell me after every game, especially toward the end of the season. A lot of NBA teams have come to watch," he said.
Turell's chances to be picked in the NBA Draft are low but he may create a buzz during the pre-draft process or showcases, like Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. 
Scouts will test his ability to continue and score many points even against larger and more powerful players as the level of the competition rises, and will see how he will cope in defensive positions.

First published: 20:34, 03.15.22

2Comments

1.

unorthodox Ryan Turell

This media cycle is so off the mark. Ryan plans to play basketball on Shabbat, which means he is not orthodox; despite the catchy sound of "First orthodox Jew in the NBA", that's not what he is. If he were orthodox, he'd sit out Shabbat games, and if that meant he weren't drafted, then that's what it would necessitate for him to be characterized as an orthodox Jew. The Torah requires and commands a person to rest on the Shabbat from all manners of work and weekday pursuits as it is written "on the seventh day you shall rest" (Shemot 23:12). Tishbot, you shall rest. The Rambam explains this means manners of labor and even to rest from matters that aren't considered work. Even if you love basketball and think it's a joy, you have to cease playing on Shabbat due to the fact that it is a weekday activity and entirely unrelated to the Shabbat rest day.

Shmuel| 03.17.22

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No melakha.....

So let's hypothesize how he could do this according to the jewish religion. He might donate all of his Shabbat earnings that he makes and therefore not be earning his living on that day, which is a crock. He might be seen as a light to the nations by wearing his skullcap, love that term, which isn't a mitzvah at all. He might me just above average for the NBA and sit on the bench which means he shows up for work but doesn't work. Yeah, wait for the reasons it's okay like it was for Trump's daughter and son-in-law. jewish is undefined.

Eli| 03.19.22

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