Jewish High School Basketball Showcase game, May 5 in Skokie

Game gives Jewish high school senior basketball players an opportunity to compete with and against the best in the area

High school senior players from all over the Chicago area have been invited to participate in the first Chicagoland Jewish Basketball Showcase. This unique event is being launched in 2024, with the plan to make it an annual occurrence. This game highlights the best collection of Jewish high school basketball players on the court together at the same time anywhere in the country.

Players from high schools such as Glenbrook North, Stevenson, York, Wheeling, and Ida Crown Jewish Academy accepted invitations to play and will be divided up into two equal teams. Coach Eric Millstone from Palatine and Assistant Coach JJ Pearl from York have volunteered to coach the two teams. Players from both private and public high schools locally, ranging from 4A to IA will compete on Sunday, May 5, at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie at 4 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity for the kids to highlight their basketball abilities in front of their peers, compete with and against others they may or may not know about, and of course, connect with fellow seniors who share their Jewish heritage and passion for basketball,” said Mike Kamin, showcase director. “From its inception, the feedback we've gotten on the idea has been overwhelmingly positive from the players, coaches, and local basketball community.”

The game is being sponsored by Camp Kawaga, an overnight summer camp for boys, ages 8-16, in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Proceeds from the game will be directed to the Hadassah Medical Organization, which supports Hadassah hospitals in Israel.