YARMULKA ON THE HARDWOOD: Yeshiva University’s Ryan Turell to Enter 2022 NBA Draft; Aims to be First Orthodox Jewish Player

Yeshiva University’s Ryan Turell will forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2022 NBA draft, he told ESPN. “My full intention is to play professional basketball next year,” Turell said.

Turell is the leading scorer in college basketball across all divisions, averaging 27.1 points while shooting 47% from 3. His team won the Skyline Conference championship, winning 50 consecutive games spanning from November 2019 to December 2021 and at one time being ranked No. 1 in the country in Division III.

Turell is attempting to become the first Orthodox Jewish player in the NBA. He wears a yarmulke on the basketball court when he plays, and he said he plans on continuing to do so as a professional.

“Being the first Orthodox Jew in the NBA would mean the world to me, and a dream come true, God willing. But, just as importantly, it would mean the world to others that never saw this as a possibility.”

Turell told ESPN he “plans on playing on Shabbos and walking to the gym.”

Turell is a two-time conference player of the year, and the leading scorer in Yeshiva history with more than 2,000 points, despite both his sophomore and junior seasons being shortened by COVID. Turell has been thoroughly scouted by NBA teams this season, with several owners, executives and former players attending games in New York to watch him in person. ESPN

{Matzav.com}