(JTA) — Brooklyn Nets Jewish players made headlines Thursday night as the team selected two Jewish athletes in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking a rare moment of visibility for Jewish representation in pro basketball. The milestone drew excitement from fans, Jewish organizations, and sports analysts alike.

Brooklyn Nets Jewish players headline NBA Draft

The Brooklyn Nets picked two Jewish players in the 2025 NBA Draft Thursday night — a rare occasion in professional basketball that sent Jewish sports fans into celebration mode.

Israeli and American Jewish athletes picked

In the second round, the Nets selected Israeli player Noam Yaacov, a 6-foot-2 guard who plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv, with the 45th pick. A native of France, Yaacov moved to Israel in his teens, and has represented the Israeli national team in several tournaments.

Later, with the 51st pick, the team selected Spencer Freedman, a 6-foot-1 guard from Southern California. Freedman starred for Harvard University and played professionally in Israel for Hapoel Haifa before entering the draft. He’s known for his sharpshooting and high basketball IQ.

Jewish community and fans react with pride

The selections make the Nets the only NBA team in recent memory to draft two Jewish players in the same year. Jewish sports fans took to social media to express pride, with some calling it a “historic night” for Jewish athletes.

The Anti-Defamation League and Jewish sports organizations praised the move, citing the importance of representation in professional sports, especially amid rising antisemitism globally.

Jewish players in the NBA remain rare

While Jewish athletes have played important roles in NBA history—most notably Dolph Schayes and Amar’e Stoudemire (who converted to Judaism)—their numbers have dwindled in the modern era. The addition of two Brooklyn Nets Jewish players is seen as a step forward for visibility and inclusion in a league with growing international reach.