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Jon Marks

Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff during the first half of an NCAA football game on September 20, 2025, in Oxford, Mississippi. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
December 5, 2025, 2:05 am
Jake Retzlaff, eyeing college football history, isn’t the only Jewish QB with big dreams
Across the country is Zevi Eckhaus, a Washington State quarterback who dons tefillin every morning, prays at the 18-yard line and hopes to set an example for Jewish fans
By Jon Marks and JTA
Florida head coach Todd Golden does the Gator Chomp after cutting down the net after defeating Texas Tech in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
November 2, 2025, 7:14 pm
After topping other Jewish NCAA coaches, Gators’ Golden shoots for title repeat
Over a decade after playing basketball for Israel, Todd Golden says the country remains on his mind, though his focus now is on defending last year’s collegiate championship for Florida
By Jon Marks
Fan Lavi Kirel waves an Israeli flag as basketball player Deni Avdija takes a free throw during a March 3 game in Philadelphia. (Jon Marks/Times of Israel)
March 11, 2025, 4:09 am
No longer riding pine, Deni Avdija blazes trail of pride for Israel across the NBA
Overcoming a slow start after arriving in Portland, the fifth-year forward is inspiring overt support for the Jewish state while putting up the best numbers of his career
By Jon Marks
Tai Baribo plays for the Philadelphia Union soccer club in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Union)
August 5, 2024, 3:38 pm
After a slow start in Philadelphia, Israeli soccer player Tai Baribo is on a roll
The striker, who has also played for Israel’s national team, had a breakout month in July with a stunning hat trick but hasn’t forgotten his homeland as war rages on
By Jon Marks
Washington Wizards' Deni Avdija, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' De'Anthony Melton during the first half of an NBA basketball game, November 6, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
November 16, 2023, 12:27 am
As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija plays through the pain
Praying for his countrymen back home, the Washington Wizards’ small forward puts up impressive numbers as the season starts in the wake of brutal Hamas massacres
By Jon Marks
Israelis with a black crepe covered Israeli flag, photographed in the Munich Olympic stadium, September 6, 1972, during the memorial service for the 11 murdered Israeli team members. (AP Photo)
September 5, 2022, 6:28 am
The 1972 Munich massacre through the eyes of the athletes in the Olympic village
Members of the 1972 US basketball team tell the unfolding of the tragedy that saw 11 Israeli coaches and athletes killed and a botched hostage rescue attempt
By Jon Marks
Deni Avdija, number 9, makes his NBA debut with the Washington Wizards, December 23, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
December 24, 2020, 2:06 pm
‘Dream come true’ as Israeli Deni Avdija makes NBA debut with Wizards
The 9th draft pick’s first game with the Washington Wizards ends in 113-107 loss to the 76ers in which he scores 7 points, pulls down 4 rebounds, and has 1 steal and 1 assist
By Jon Marks
Indiana Pacers player T.J. Leaf's father also played for the Pacers before moving to Israel, where T.J. was born. (Courtesy)
March 18, 2018, 2:01 pm
Meet the NBA’s Israeli-born rookie, a 6’10” forward named T.J. Leaf
While the 21-year-old still warms bench before becoming a regular starter for the Indiana Pacers, he dreams about one day repping for Team Israel in the Olympics
By Jon Marks
Omri Casspi signs a basketball for a Golden State Warriors fan. (Courtesy Golden State Warriors;NBAE/Getty Images)
November 22, 2017, 3:05 am
As only Israeli in NBA, Omri Casspi tries to be ‘best ambassador’ he can
In conversation with The Times of Israel, the hulking Hebrew talks about country, team, and his growing family
By Jon Marks
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