Tamir Goodman averaged 35.4 points per game as a junior in high school. Goodman was recruited by the University of Maryland in 1999 but never played for the Terrapins because there was a conflict with him playing in games that fell on the Sabbath.
According to his web site, TamirGoodman.com, Tamir was ranked the 25th best high-school player in the country. He gained national attention after averaging over 35 points per game his junior year, all while remaining faithful to his Orthodox Jewish upbringing. Goodman was named Most Valuable Player of the prestigious “Capital Classic All-Star Game,” an award won by Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and other stars.
Goodman then made history as the first Jewish basketball player to play D-I college and professional basketball without playing on the Jewish Sabbath. Despite receiving a full scholarship to No. 1 ranked University of Maryland, Tamir chose to play for D-I Towson University as their schedule better accommodated his religious observance.
The first freshman to start at Towson in over a decade, Goodman was presented the Coach’s Award for his performance on the court and in the classroom.
Goodman was a devout Orthodox Jew who, understandably, would not play on holy days of obligation. The film Hacksaw Ridge comes to mind, a biographical about Private First Class Desmond Doss who, as a Seventh Day Adventist, refused to carry or use a weapon of any kind.
Goodman wasn’t fighting in any war but both men are devoted, and passionate, about their faith and their religion.
According to espn.com, “That scholarship to Maryland never came to be after a disagreement with the coaching staff. He instead attended less-glamourous Towson, where his career lasted less than two years. Goodman then signed with the Israeli pro league, playing for four teams in five seasons amid a succession of injuries.
It was basketball that thrust fame onto the student at a tiny Jewish day school near Baltimore. The 6-foot-3, 159-pound Goodman averaged 35.4 points as a junior at the Talmudical Academy.
He wore a yarmulke on the court and wouldn’t play on the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday—and he was headed to Maryland.
Goodman struggled through injuries the summer between his junior and senior years, and the whispers grew that he wasn’t Atlantic Coast Conference material. After meeting with Maryland Coach Gary Williams in September 1999, Goodman announced he wouldn’t become a Terrapin after all, saying there was friction over his refusal to play on the Sabbath.
Towson agreed to schedule its games so there wouldn’t be any conflicts. As a freshman, he averaged six points and four assists in 23 starts. But his playing time decreased following a coaching change—and then it was all over.
Goodman filed a police complaint after a game in December 2001, accusing Coach Michael Hunt of holding a chair over the player’s head in a frightening manner and kicking a stool that hit Goodman’s leg. He later asked prosecutors not to pursue assault charges, but didn’t return to the team.
“I was completely broken, spiritually, physically,” Goodman said. “I didn’t want anything to do with basketball.”
Despite a brief playing career, Goodman has no regrets stating “In some ways I think I’ve experienced a lot more than a lot of 27-year-olds,” Goodman said. “But I feel like the most blessed person in the world.”
Goodman retired at the age of 27, where most professional basketball players are at the peak of their powers.
The Players Tribune says “This is a story about one kid living his dream and not letting others define his success.”
Goodman was a viral sensation in a time before social media. Dubbed the “Jewish Jordan,” Goodman’s life story is a constant balancing act between his faith and his love of the game.”
It was a challenge for Goodman to strike a balance between his faith and playing the game he loves.
These days, Goodman is a successful businessman, coach, educator and a motivational speaker.
He runs a summer basketball camp in his native Israel. Goodman has coached and handled over 5,000 kids teaching and mentoring them about the values that the sport of basketball teaches, values like teamwork, discipline and hardwork.
He runs camps all over the US with countryman, NBA player Omri Caspi. Goodman Goodman is one of those could’ve, would’ve and should’ve stories that what if then Maryland Head Coach Williams allowed him to sit out games that fall on the Sabbath.