Led by Yisrael Feld, a senior at Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA), the USA basketball team took the gold at the Maccabi Australia International Games on January 2 in Sydney, Australia. The team included two other local Yeshiva League ballplayers, HAFTR’s Shelby Rosenberg and JEC’s Yehuda Heller.

Feld, a six foot guard and captain of the MTA Lions, felt honored to represent his country. “Having USA written across my jersey was an unreal experience,” said the Teaneck, NJ native. “And traveling to Sydney and meeting all sorts of Jews from across the world was really amazing.”

When he began assembling his roster months ago, Team USA Coach Elliot Steinmetz ’02SB, approached Maccabi USA with the idea of recruiting more Orthodox players—a nontraditional practice at previous Maccabi games.

“I wanted to get more religious kids involved and Maccabi was very supportive and accommodating,” said Steinmetz, who played basketball for YU. In all, seven of the team’s ten members were Orthodox—a Maccabi USA first, according to Steinmetz. “Regardless of their backgrounds, the guys got along great and were able to come together to compete in a short amount of time.”

Though the team had only two practices together before the tournament began, they were able to sweep through the 18 and under tournament. With Feld leading the way—averaging 29 points per game—Team USA went an undefeated 5-0.

Feld is no rookie when it comes to success on the court. During the 2008-09 season, he was the first sophomore to play on MTA’s varsity team in more than a decade and was named National Sophomore of the Year by Jewish Hoops America. The following year saw Feld making the All Jewish Hoops America National First Team, and most recently, in October, scoring his 1,000th point in only his 50th game.

“He’s really a fantastic kid with fantastic talent that can make any coach look good,” said Steinmetz, who first met Feld a few years ago at a basketball camp he operates. “But what’s more impressive is that he’s a true mentch on and off the court.”

Daniel Gibber, head coach of the MTA Lions, shared the sentiment.

“Yisrael has so much pressure on him as people expect him to carry the team every game. It’s remarkable how successful he’s been,” said Gibber ’91YUHS, ’96SB. “More importantly he is extremely levelheaded, humble and quiet about his skills. He is one of the nicest kids you can be around.”

Click HERE for photos courtesy of Yvette Sher.

(YWN Desk – NYC)