UConn Huskies Basketball

The Israeli Pipeline


The Israeli Pipeline

The recruitment of Nadav Henefeld for the '89-90 season was the start of a close relationship between UConn and Israel:

Nadav Henefeld

Played basketball at UConn from '89-90. Known as "The Dove", "The Gaza Stripper", "Little Bird". Left after one year to play in Israel for Maccabi Tel-Aviv where Doron Sheffer is his teammate. Had a try-out in 1993 with the Boston Celtics in their rookie and free agent camp.

Orly Grossman

Played basketball (for the women's team) at UConn from '90-91. Played for Elitzur Ramla in the Women's First League of the Israeli Basketball League. Also played on the Israeli National Team. She retired from playing basketball in April, 1998 due to some undisclosed health problem. She is currently moonlighting as a sideline reporter for the Israeli sportschannel in the women's league broadcasts. Was considered the leading figure of Israeli women's basketball while she was playing.

Gilad Katz

Played basketball at UConn from '90-92. Left to play in Israel, where he played for Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Maccabai Jerusalem, and Maccabi Elite Tel-Aviv. Played the '96-97 season as the backup point-guard for the champion of Germany, Bayer Leverkusen, in the European League (which is the highest-ranked competition in Europe) making him the first Israeli player to play professionally outside Israel. Currently back playing for Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Doron Sheffer

Played for Galil Elyon in Israel prior to attending UConn. Let them to the Israeli National Championship in 1992-93. He was the MVP of the Israeli Club League in 1992-93 while completing a three-year military obligation. He also led Galil Elyon to the Israeli Cup title in 1991-92. Enrolled at UConn with 3 years of NCAA eligibility.

Selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with their second pick in the 2nd round (36th pick overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. Chose to play for Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel, where Nadav Henefeld is his teammate, when the Clippers couldn't guarantee him a roster spot or release/trade him to another team.

Uri Cohen-Mintz

Left UConn after one year to play in Israel for Maccabai Jerusalem. Currently playing for Maccabi Ramat-Gan.

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