Bulls consider Casspi

Omri Casspi, the Sacramento Kings forward, has been linked with a move to either the Chicago Bulls or New York Knicks.

Reports in the US say that the Bulls are so impressed by Casspi's performances that they could make a bid for the first Israeli to play in the NBA before this season's trade deadline in mid-February. Casspi, 22, joined the Kings from Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2009 and has a three-year contract worth $1.25 million a year.

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Net gains for King Casspi

Omri Casspi has started his second NBA season in style. The first Israeli to play in the league, Casspi has helped Sacramento Kings to three straight victories.

He scored 10 in the 117-116 win over Minnesota Timberwolves on the opening day of the season followed by a 20-point haul against Cleveland Cavaliers. Fourteen more points followed against Toronto Raptors.

The Kings extended Casspi's contract for two more years at the start of the season.

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Strong start for Israel basketball

Israel's qualification campaign for Eurobasket 2011 got off to a strong start with a 79-71 away victory over group favourites Italy in Bari.

Yotam Halperin topscored with 16 points as the Israelis opened up a large lead by the second quarter.

The victory was all the more impressive because NBA star Omri Casspi failed to shine with only nine points to his name.

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New team for Maccabi GB basketball

Maccabi GB have appointed Marc Diner and Craig Harris to take charge of developing basketball at next year's European Maccabi Games in Vienna and looking further forwards, the 19th Maccabiah Games.

They have both competed at numerous Maccabiot, including last year where Diner was Chair of basketball and Harris managed the boys squad. Harris has also led teams to games in North America.

Maccabi GB are looking to recruit youngsters aged 11 and over to play with the objective of representing Team GB at the EMG and the 2013 Maccabiah Games. Trials take place on July 11.

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Maccabi GB appoints basketball management team

Maccabi GB have appointed Marc Diner and Craig Harris to take charge of developing basketball at next year’s European Maccabi Games in Vienna and looking further forwards, the Maccabiah Games in 2013.

Diner and Harris have both competed at numerous Maccabiot including last year’s Games where Marc was Chair of basketball and Craig managed the boys’ basketball squad. Craig has also led teams to the JCC Maccabi Games in North America.

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Casspi is a big hit in the NBA

Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi has finished his first NBA season with an impressive record.

Having become the first Israeli to play in the NBA last October, Casspi, 21, played 1,931 minutes in 77 games for the Kings, scoring 792 points. The former Maccabi Tel Aviv star punched above his weight with the seventh best record of any rookie.

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Omri Casspi earns praise for NBA performance

Omri Casspi scored 13 points as the Rookies beat the Sophomores 140-128 at the NBA All-Star Challenge.

The Israeli forward, 21, said: "I'll have to work very hard to come back here. It was a good experience to go out there and play. I don't want it to stop.

"There's no time to get tired of it. When I get tired of it, I just keep thinking to myself, 'This is where I wanted to be all the time."

Casspi earned praise from NBA star Kobe Bryant who said: "I think he's surprised Sacramento. I think he's doing phenomenally well."

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Israel's basketball star Casspi returns

Sacramento Kings star Omri Casspi has pledged that he will play for Israel in the Euro 2011 qualifiers.

The first Israeli in the NBA, Casspi, 21, will return to the national squad after missing last year’s European Championships.

Casspi said: “The NBA season ends in the spring so the timing is right to play for Israel in the summer. I could not play for the team last year because it would have messed up my preparations for the NBA.”

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