Jerome Williams (NY Knicks) with children from the Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center

September 2, 2010 / 23 Elul 5770

A delegation of NBA players made a special visit to a Jewish Agency absorption center Wednesday (Sept. 1), where they shot a few hoops with excited young Ethiopian new immigrants. The players are part of SportsPower International, a group of former and current NBA players who act as role models to disadvantaged youth. The delegation which is visiting Israel this week included players Allan Houston, Jerome Williams, David Wood, Anthony Bonner, Paul Grant, Darnell Lindsay, Shawn Hawkins and Bryan Crislip, as well as Israeli basketball legend Tal Brody.

The group visited the Mevasseret Zion absorption center, located just outside Jerusalem, the Jewish Agency's largest absorption center with over one thousand Ethiopian immigrants.

Allan Houston (NY Knicks) and Tal Brody


Jerome Williams, Anthony Bonner and Allan Houston (all ex NY Knicks)

Paul Grant (ex Utah Jazz)

Choo Smith (Harlem Globe Trotters)

Jerome Williams (right) and Allan Houston (ex NY Knicks) with a young
protégé at the Jewish Agency Absorption Center.

Photo Credit: Brian Hendler/Jewish Agency for Israel. For these photos in high resolution see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewishagencyforisrael/sets/72157624736956895/