Tamir Goodman

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Tamir Goodman (born January 18, 1982), dubbed by Sports Illustrated Magazine as the "Jewish Jordan", is an Orthodox Jewish basketball player. He was released from his verbal commitment by the University of Maryland, College Park in 1999 after they could not meet his religious needs. Goodman then accepted a scholarship from nearby Towson University. After averaging 6 points, 4 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game in his freshman year in 2000-2001, Goodman continued with Towson University for his sophomore campaign until he had a falling out with his new coach in December 2001, whom Goodman claims to have been anti-semitic. That caused Goodman to leave the team for the remainder of the season.

Goodman would not return to Towson after that season, thus effectively ending his career there. However, Goodman then fulfilled a dream of his by moving to Israel and signing a 3-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv on July 22, 2002[1]. To get more playing time, he was loaned to Givat Shmuel for the 2002-2003 season and then played in a lower league for Kiryat Ata in the 2003-2004 season. He went on to serve in the Israeli Defense Force, a requirement for all Israeli citizens. Goodman then went back to Givat Shmuel to fulfill his contract for the 2005-2006 season.

Since moving to Israel, Goodman has married and fathered a daughter.