Omri Casspi
Encyclopedia
Omri Casspi (born June 22, 1988) is an Israel
i professional basketball
player. He is under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers
, but is playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. during the 2011 NBA lockout
. He is 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) tall, and plays at the small forward position.
He was drafted 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft
by the Sacramento Kings
, making him the first Israeli to be selected in the first round of the draft. With his debut with the Kings in 2009, Casspi became the first Israeli to play in an NBA game. The Cavaliers traded for him in June 2011.
. He is the son of Shimon and Ilana, and has an older brother, Eitan, and a younger sister, Aviv.
As a child Casspi played for Elitzur Yavne B.C.
and Maccabi Rishon LeZion
. When he was 13 he moved to the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, winning the State Youth Championship in 2005. Simultaneously he played for his high school basketball team.
He returned to Maccabi in 2007. He became part of the team rotation for the following seasons. The team reached the Euroleague Finals in 2008 and won a state championship in 2009. Casspi received the 2008 Israeli League Sixth Man of the Year Award. In February 2009, he finished in fourth place in voting for the FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award
for the 2008–09 season, behind Ricky Rubio
, Danilo Gallinari
, and Kosta Koufos
.
Casspi plays for the Israel national basketball team
in international competition.
at Madison Square Garden
on October 11, 2007, Casspi started the game and shot three-for-three from the floor, including a three-pointer, for eight points in 16 minutes of playing-time.
In 2008, Casspi declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft
, but he withdrew before the declaration deadline after failing to receive a first-round draft guarantee from any NBA club.
agreed to a contract with the New York Knicks in 1999 had an Israeli player come so close to playing in the NBA. In July, Casspi signed a 3-year contract worth $3.5 million.
On October 28, 2009, Casspi made his NBA debut for the Kings against the Oklahoma City Thunder
, scoring 15 points. On December 16, 2009, Casspi made his first NBA start. Scoring 22 points against the Washington Wizards
, he tied the most points scored by any Kings player in his first start since the team moved to Sacramento in 1985.
On January 1, 2010, Casspi scored a career-high 23 points against the Los Angeles Lakers
(along with 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 assists) as the Kings lost 109–108. On January 2, 2010, he grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks
(along with 22 points, 1 steal, and 4 assists) as the Kings lost 99–91. On January 5, 2010, Casspi set a new career high with 24 points against the Phoenix Suns
(along with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, no turnovers, and 10–19 from the field) as the Kings lost 113–109.
In 2010, Casspi was chosen to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge, as well as the NBA All-Star Weekend H–O–R–S–E Competition
against Kevin Durant
and Rajon Rondo
.
In 2010-11, Casspi played in all 71 games for Sacramento (starting 27 of them). He averaged 8.6 points, shot .412 shooting (including .372 from three-point range), and averaged 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. In his 27 starts, averaged 10.7 points on .435 shooting, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. In his two seasons for Sacramento, he averaged 9.5 points on .431 shooting, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 24.6 minutes per game.
for forward/center J.J. Hickson. The News-Herald
opined that Casspi will likely
start at small forward for the Cavaliers.
, Casspi signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Israel, with plans to join the team in January if the lockout continues. Jordan Farmar
is currently playing for the team as well.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He is under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, but is playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. during the 2011 NBA lockout
2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
. He is 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) tall, and plays at the small forward position.
He was drafted 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft
2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
by the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, making him the first Israeli to be selected in the first round of the draft. With his debut with the Kings in 2009, Casspi became the first Israeli to play in an NBA game. The Cavaliers traded for him in June 2011.
Early life
Casspi is Jewish, was born in Holon, Israel, and grew up in YavneYavne
Yavne is a city in the Central District of Israel. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , at the end of 2009 the city had a population of 33,000.-History:...
. He is the son of Shimon and Ilana, and has an older brother, Eitan, and a younger sister, Aviv.
As a child Casspi played for Elitzur Yavne B.C.
Elitzur Yavne B.C.
Elitzur Yavne is a basketball club based in Yavne in Israel. The club play in Liga Leumit, the Second division of Israeli basketball, having been promoted from Liga Arzit at the end of the 2006-07 season....
and Maccabi Rishon LeZion
Maccabi Rishon LeZion (basketball)
Maccabi Rishon LeZion is a basketball club based in Rishon LeZion in central Israel. The club plays in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball.-History:...
. When he was 13 he moved to the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, winning the State Youth Championship in 2005. Simultaneously he played for his high school basketball team.
Israel
Casspi started on the Maccabi Tel Aviv cadet team. He made his professional debut at age 17 with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2005–06 season. He joined Hapoel Galil Elyon on-loan during the 2006–07 season, and was one of its leading players, winning the "Discovery of the Year" award in the end of the season. In April 2007 he scored 14 points for the World Select team at the Nike Hoop Summit in Memphis.He returned to Maccabi in 2007. He became part of the team rotation for the following seasons. The team reached the Euroleague Finals in 2008 and won a state championship in 2009. Casspi received the 2008 Israeli League Sixth Man of the Year Award. In February 2009, he finished in fourth place in voting for the FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award
FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award
The FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year Award is an annual award given by FIBA Europe, the European division of FIBA, the international governing body of the sport of basketball, to the best European basketball player aged 22 and under of the year. The inaugural award was given out in the...
for the 2008–09 season, behind Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio
Ricard "Ricky" Rubio Vives is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association . Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish ACB League on October 15, 2005, at age 14...
, Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari is an Italian professional basketball player with Olimpia Milano of the Italian basketball league. He is also under contract with the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, and is expected to return to that team when the 2011 NBA lockout ends. He is 2.08 m in height and 102.1 kg in...
, and Kosta Koufos
Kosta Koufos
Konstantine Demetrios "Kosta" Koufos is a Greek-American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets. He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 23rd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft...
.
Casspi plays for the Israel national basketball team
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
in international competition.
NBA
In a pre-season exhibition game against the New York KnicksNew York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on October 11, 2007, Casspi started the game and shot three-for-three from the floor, including a three-pointer, for eight points in 16 minutes of playing-time.
In 2008, Casspi declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft
2008 NBA Draft
The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
, but he withdrew before the declaration deadline after failing to receive a first-round draft guarantee from any NBA club.
Sacramento Kings
In 2009, Casspi again declared himself available for the draft. He was drafted 23rd overall by the Sacramento Kings, a team that the prior year had the worst record both in the league and in franchise history. He became the first Israeli player selected as a first round draft pick. Not since Oded KattashOded Kattash
Oded Kattash is an Israeli basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Hapoel Jerusalem BC. As a player, he won a Euroleague title in the 1999–2000 season while playing with Panathinaikos....
agreed to a contract with the New York Knicks in 1999 had an Israeli player come so close to playing in the NBA. In July, Casspi signed a 3-year contract worth $3.5 million.
On October 28, 2009, Casspi made his NBA debut for the Kings against the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
, scoring 15 points. On December 16, 2009, Casspi made his first NBA start. Scoring 22 points against the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, he tied the most points scored by any Kings player in his first start since the team moved to Sacramento in 1985.
On January 1, 2010, Casspi scored a career-high 23 points against the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(along with 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 assists) as the Kings lost 109–108. On January 2, 2010, he grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
(along with 22 points, 1 steal, and 4 assists) as the Kings lost 99–91. On January 5, 2010, Casspi set a new career high with 24 points against the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
(along with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, no turnovers, and 10–19 from the field) as the Kings lost 113–109.
In 2010, Casspi was chosen to participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge, as well as the NBA All-Star Weekend H–O–R–S–E Competition
NBA All-Star Weekend H–O–R–S–E Competition
The NBA All-Star H–O–R–S–E Competition was a National Basketball Association contest which began at the 2009 NBA All–Star Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, and only lasted for two years. It was canceled from the All-Star festivities prior to the 2011 weekend...
against Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association . A 6'9" small forward/shooting guard who is also capable of playing power forward, Durant was the consensus 2007 National College Player of the Year and the...
and Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Pierre Rondo is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Rondo attended Eastern High School and Oak Hill Academy for his high-school basketball career, before receiving a...
.
In 2010-11, Casspi played in all 71 games for Sacramento (starting 27 of them). He averaged 8.6 points, shot .412 shooting (including .372 from three-point range), and averaged 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. In his 27 starts, averaged 10.7 points on .435 shooting, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. In his two seasons for Sacramento, he averaged 9.5 points on .431 shooting, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 24.6 minutes per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
On June 30, 2011, Casspi and a 2012 1st round draft pick were traded to the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for forward/center J.J. Hickson. The News-Herald
The News-Herald (Ohio)
The News-Herald is a newspaper distributed in the northeastern portion of Northeast Ohio, serving Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties as well as a section of eastern Cuyahoga County.-History:...
opined that Casspi will likely
start at small forward for the Cavaliers.
Return to Israel
During the 2011 NBA lockout2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
, Casspi signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Israel, with plans to join the team in January if the lockout continues. Jordan Farmar
Jordan Farmar
Jordan Robert Farmar is an American professional basketball point guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Super League and Euroleague. He is also under contract with the New Jersey Nets, and is expected to return to the team after the 2011 NBA lockout ends.In high school, he was the...
is currently playing for the team as well.
Israeli League
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/2006 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 21 | 9.4 | 2.1 | .9 | .5 | .1 | 4.2 |
| 2006/2007 | Hapoel Galil Elyon Hapoel Galil Elyon Hapoel Galil-Elyon was an Israeli basketball club. The team represented the north-east region of the country – the Upper Galilee, and the Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights... |
28 | 20.7 | 3.1 | 1.1 | .9 | .4 | 11.1 |
| 2007/2008 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 27 | 20.3 | 4.0 | 1.4 | .4 | .3 | 10.4 |
| 2008/2009 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 27 | 25.3 | 4.8 | 1.8 | .4 | .3 | 12.8 |
| Career | 103 | 18.5 | 3.6 | 1.3 | .7 | .2 | 10.0 |
- including Playoff games
Euroleague
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/2006 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 3 | 3.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 0.7 |
| 2007/2008 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 20 | 11.2 | 2.1 | .6 | .3 | .2 | 4.6 |
| 2008/2009 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 16 | 17.4 | 3.1 | .4 | .8 | .2 | 8.8 |
| Career | 39 | 15.3 | 1.7 | .3 | .3 | .1 | 4.7 |
Regular season
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 2009–10 NBA season The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010.... |
Sacramento Kings Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
77 | 31 | 25.1 | 0.446 | 0.369 | 0.671 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 10.3 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 NBA season The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and... |
Sacramento Kings Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
71 | 27 | 24.0 | 0.412 | 0.372 | 0.673 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 8.6 |
| Career | 148 | 58 | 24.5 | 0.431 | 0.371 | 0.673 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 9.5 |