Ryan Turell has spent his career dismantling the assumption that an athlete must choose between professional basketball and unwavering commitment to Torah. As he prepares to join the Israeli National League club Elitzur Shomron for the upcoming season, Turell is not merely beginning a new chapter—he is bringing that mission to the Jewish homeland. For years, Turell expressed hope that his professional journey would lead him to Israel, making this signing both a career milestone and a deeply personal achievement.
For the international Jewish community, this signing transcends the typical roster move, marking a significant milestone in a career that has redefined possibilities for observant athletes. The club expects Turell’s outside shooting, leadership, and professional experience to help it establish itself after earning promotion to Israel’s National League. Playing professionally in Israel allows Turell to compete in a society where Jewish life is woven into the fabric of everyday culture—a fitting home for an athlete whose identity remains inseparable from his faith.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Turell grew up in an Orthodox home where basketball and Torah held equal esteem. His father, Brad, played college basketball before embracing Orthodox Judaism, instilling in Ryan the conviction that athletic achievement should never come at the expense of religious commitment. Throughout his career, Turell has remained openly committed to Torah observance—keeping kosher, wearing a yarmulke off the court, and serving as a beacon for observant athletes aiming for the highest levels of competition.
At Valley Torah High School, Turell emerged as one of California’s premier players, earning California Division IV Player of the Year honors. While he attracted interest from numerous NCAA Division I programs, Turell chose Yeshiva University. He wanted to prove that an observant Jew could excel at the collegiate level without compromising Torah values. His decision transformed the landscape of Jewish basketball. During four seasons with the Yeshiva University Maccabees, Turell turned a respected Division III program into a national sensation. The team’s 50-game winning streak captivated sports fans and drew coverage from major outlets like ESPN, introducing millions to the university’s unique mission. His senior season in 2021-2022 was historic; averaging 27.1 points per game, he led all NCAA divisions in scoring and earned National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III National Player of the Year honors.
Few communities embraced that journey as enthusiastically as Queens. Located just a short drive from Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus, the borough became home to a dedicated following of supporters. This connection became personal in June 2024, when Turell headlined the Chazaq 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Queens College. Organized by Rabbi Yaniv Meirov to promote Jewish unity through sports, the event drew over 100 participants to the court. Turell skipped the typical "guest appearance" routine; instead, he spent the day running drills, officiating games, and talking with kids about balancing a jump shot with a commitment to Torah. For the teenagers on the sidelines, watching a national star take a break from his professional career to focus on their community was more impactful than any highlight reel.
Today, Turell’s influence extends well beyond the basketball court. Jewish schools, camps, youth organizations, and sports leagues across North America frequently point to his journey as evidence that athletic ambition and Torah observance need not exist in conflict. His story encourages countless young people who once believed they had to choose between the two.
Following graduation, Turell continued to break barriers. In 2022, he became the first Orthodox Jewish player selected in the NBA G League Draft, joining the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons’ affiliate. Over two seasons, he proved his scoring prowess at the professional level, including a career-high 34-point performance, paving the way for other observant players to follow.
As Ryan Turell takes the court in Israel this season, he carries far more than the expectations of a new team. He represents a generation of young Jewish athletes who have watched his journey and discovered that excellence, humility, and unwavering commitment to Torah can coexist. From Los Angeles to Yeshiva University, from the packed gymnasiums of Washington Heights to Chazaq’s tournament at Queens College, and now to the professional courts of Eretz Yisrael, Turell has proven that faith is not an obstacle to greatness—it is its foundation.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
From Queens To The Court In Eretz Yisrael: Ryan Turell’s Journey Continues
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