Tamir Goodman, a former standout basketball player at the Talmudical Academy in Baltimore and nicknamed the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated, is coming home.
Goodman, an Orthodox Jew, will play for the Maryland Nighthawks of the Premier Basketball League this season after spending the past several years playing in Israel.
“I loved living and playing in Israel, but I?m thrilled to come home to Maryland and join the Nighthawks,” Goodman said in a statement. “For the team to respect my religious beliefs in this way is something special.”
Goodman was one of the best high school players in the country as a senior in 2000. He was offered ? and accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Maryland ? but was released from his commitment when he wanted to be excused from playing games Friday nights and Saturdays before sunset so he could honor his religious beliefs.
But that won?t be a big problem for Goodman with the Nighthawks. The team has constructed a home schedule around Goodman?s restrictions, and he?ll only miss two of 10 road games.
Goodman accepted a scholarship to play for Towson University, where he played two seasons before leaving the Tigers to play professionally in Israel.
Goodman, a Pikesville native, spent last season playing for Maccabi Shoham, which held its home games in a community gym near Tel Aviv.
The Nighthawks open the season on Jan. 5 against the Wilmington Sea Dogs at The Hanley Center for Athletic Excellence at Georgetown Prep in Bethesda.
“Obviously, this is a major acquisition for both our team and the community,” Nighthawks co-owner Tom Doyle said in a statement. “Tamir Goodman is an outstanding human being that we are proud to welcome to our team.”
