| Position | Guard |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg) |
| Born | April 10, 1990 Brooklyn, New York, |
| Nationality | United States, Israel |
| College | University of Virginia |
| Pro career | 2010–present |
| Career history | Maccabi Haifa 2010–present |
| Awards |
|
Sylven Joshua Landesberg (born April 10, 1990, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American-Israeli professional basketball player, who plays guard for Maccabi Haifa in Israel.
He was a 2008 McDonald's High School All American and 2008 New York State Mr. Basketball in high school, and 2008–09 ACC Freshman of the Year for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. He is 6' 6" and 205 lbs.[1]
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Landesberg is the son of Ingrid and Steven Landesberg.[1]
In his sophomore year at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, New York, he averaged 20.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists a game during 2005–06.[2] He was named First-Team All-City by the New York Daily News and the New York Post.[3] In 2006–07, during his junior year, he averaged 25.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a game, and was again named All-City honors by the Daily News and the Post.[4]
During his senior year in 2007–08, he averaged 29.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a game.[5] He shot 52% from the field, and 77% from the free throw line.[6] He scored a school-record 2,149 career points in three years on the team.[7]
He was a 2008 McDonald's High School All American, and was named New York State Mr. Basketball.[8] He was also a second-team Parade Magazine All-American, first-team All-State, New York Gatorade Player of the Year, New York Post Player of the Year, and a U.S. All Star in the 2008 Capital Classic.[9]
His parents said he chose the University of Virginia over St. John's University because he felt it was a superior academic school.[2]
During the 2008–09 season, in his freshman year, he averaged 16.6 points (third-best for a freshman in UVA history), 6.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game.[10] He led the team in scoring, and was second in rebounds and assists.[11] He also led Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) freshmen in scoring, and was third in rebounds and assists.[12] He was 10th in the ACC in scoring.[13] He set a UVA freshman record with 12 20-point games (surpassing the 9 by Ralph Sampson in 1979–80).[14]
He was named ACC Rookie of the Year, six-time ACC Rookie of the Week, a unanimous selection to the ACC All-Freshmen Team, honorable mention All-ACC, second-team Freshman All-American by CBS, CollegeHoops.net, and NaismithLives.com, and won the team's Sidney Young Memorial Award (individual who exemplifies leadership, cooperative spirit, and unselfish service).[15]
In Landesberg's sophomore season he led the Cavaliers in scoring again, averaging 17.3 points a game (sixth in the ACC), along with 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.[16] He ranked sixth in the ACC in free throw percentage (.810), and seventh in field goal percentage (.443).[17]
He was named second-team All-ACC, 2-time ACC Player of the Week, USBWA All-District III, NABC All-District 2 first team.[18] In 2009–10, Landesberg was named to the Jewish Sports Review All-American team.[3]
On March 6, 2010, Landesberg was suspended for the remaining game of the season for failing to meet academic obligations.[4] [19] On March 23, it was announced that Landesberg would not return to the Cavaliers.[5]
Landesberg played for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League in 2010.[6]
During the summer of 2010, Landesberg signed to play for the Israeli team Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Super League. Due to the fact his father is Jewish, Landesberg received Israeli citizenship.[7] He played his first season for the team in 2010-11.[20] In his first season playing in Israel, Landesberg said playing for Maccabi Haifa has both improved his game, and assisted him in better understanding his heritage.[21] He said: "Hopefully, I'll make it to the NBA, but I will definitely never forget my time in Israel no matter where I go. It is a huge part of my growing up."[22]
| Season | Team | G | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% | MIN | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Virginia Cavaliers | 28 | 16.6 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.1 | .436 | .314 | .796 | 34.2 | 2.8 |
| 2009–10 | Virginia Cavaliers | 27 | 17.3 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.3 | .443 | .383 | .810 | 32.1 | 2.3 |
| Totals: | 55 | 16.95 | 5.45 | 2.85 | 0.9 | 0.2 | .4395 | .3485 | .803 | 33.15 | 2.55 | |