Israeli NBA Player Omri Casspi Says He Dons Tefillin Every Morning
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Basketball star Omri Casspi on Tuesday revealed that he dons phylacteries every morning besides for on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
In a Twitter conversation with a fan, Casspi said he is committed to the Orthodox-Jewish practice of wrapping the small Scripture-filled boxes called tefillin in Hebrew around his arm and forehead during morning prayers.
The Israeli-born Sacramento Kings forward will visit Israel this week along with seven other NBA players in a tour organized by a foundation formed by Casspi that combats the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. The athletes will tour the Jewish State and attend charity events organized by NBA Cares, the league’s global community outreach initiative, JNS.org reported.
Taking the trip with Casspi are his Sacramento Kings teammates DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, and Caron Butler, as well as Chandler Parsons of the Dallas Mavericks, Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyreke Evans of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Alan Anderson of the Washington Wizards.
Casspi is the first Israeli-born player in NBA history. He re-signed with the Sacramento Kings on July 15.