Tamir Goodman's Basketball Journey from Baltimore to Towson University to Israel
I generally focus on pro basketball here, but this story deserves the widest possible audience, and is relevant not just to basketball but to life, because life is about having a meaningful journey during which you grow and help others, not just about reaching a destination--and life is about overcoming obstacles without compromising your core values.
If you are younger than 40, you may not remember Tamir Goodman, who was dubbed the "Jewish Jordan" after he emerged as one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country. Goodman did not seek out fame or publicity, but when he became famous he used his platform and visibility to send a powerful message about faith and persistence. Goodman not only wrestled with the high expectations others placed on him, but he also dealt with numerous injuries plus severe dyslexia.
Goodman's basketball accomplishments may be the least interesting part of his life story, but it is worth noting that he played well against high level competition. Goodman was co-MVP of the 2000 Capital Classic game featuring some of the nation's top high school recruits. Other MVPs of the Capital Classic include LeBron James (2003) and Dwight Howard (2004). Maryland, which later won the 2002 NCAA title, offered Goodman a full scholarship. Goodman ended up not playing at Maryland because the school and the ACC were unwilling or unable to accommodate his observance of the Jewish Sabbath, which meant that Goodman could not play in any games from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Instead, Goodman went to Towson, a Division I school, and he averaged 6.0 ppg and 4.0 apg as a freshman while starting 23 of the 27 games that he played. Coach Mike Jaskulski accommodated Goodman's religious observance, but after a 12-17 season Towson fired Jaskulski. The next coach, Michael Hunt, clashed with Goodman, and Goodman filed an assault complaint after a locker room confrontation during which Hunt kicked a chair such that it hit Goodman's leg. Goodman subsequently dropped the complaint, and he never played for Towson again.
Goodman played in various Israeli professional basketball leagues for several seasons before knee injuries forced him to retire in 2009 when he was just 27 years old. Now, he lives in Israel with his wife Judy and their five children. Goodman is an entrepreneur, coach, educator, and motivational speaker who says, "Judaism actually helped me with basketball, because Judaism is a blueprint. It's a way of life. It's, like, how to sleep, how to eat, how to take care of your body, how to take care of your mind, winning each day, giving back, playing for a higher purpose. I think Judaism actually helped me be a better basketball player."
Here is Goodman's recent appearance on the Living Lchaim channel:
Three years ago, Goodman's story was featured in the second episode of the award-winning "The Franchise" podcast: Reevaluating 'Jewish Jordan' Tamir Goodman
The whole podcast is worth a listen, but the most striking moment is the story of someone asking Goodman's high school coach Harold Katz (not the Harold Katz who owned the Philadelphia 76ers) if he thought the team would have a good season. Coach Katz replied that he would not know the answer for 30 years, until he saw what kinds of men, husbands, and fathers his players became. Podcast host Meredith Shiner concluded that Goodman and Katz are too modest to say it, but she is comfortable saying that the team had a successful season.
Becoming the best person you can be and then using your gifts to help other people is the ultimate win.
Labels: basketball, Israel, Judaism, Tamir Goodman, Towson
posted by David Friedman @ 9:27 PM
